Blues close on younger Hazard
Lens sporting director Antoine Sibierski claims a deal to take Thorgan Hazard to Chelsea should be wrapped up in the next 24 hours.
Last Updated: 19/07/12 7:05pm
Lens sporting director Antoine Sibierski claims a deal to take Thorgan Hazard to Chelsea should be wrapped up in the next 24 hours.
The 19-year-old playmaker is set to follow in the footsteps of his more celebrated elder brother Eden in making a move to Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard linked up with the Blues in a big-money deal earlier this summer, and Roberto Di Matteo is closing on another member of a talented footballing family.
Hazard's current employers have conceded that a transfer is now inevitable and have revealed that negotiations could be completed on Friday.
"It should be official tomorrow," Sibierski told Lens' official website.
"(When I arrived) there was no intention of letting him go and I met him very quickly after my arrival to show my confidence in him.
Understand
"He still had one year left and it was proposed he extended it but he told me eye to eye that did not interest him and he wanted to leave Lens.
"I realised 48 hours later why, when I learned Chelsea wanted him. I understand."
Lens coach Jean-Luis Garcia also accepts that keeping Hazard was always going to be tough.
He added: "He is a boy of 19, his elder brother signs for Chelsea and he is urged to do so by the same club, who won the Champions League.
"Congratulations to Thorgan. Unfortunately we cannot go against such an opportunity. Good luck to him."