Arsenal in the hunt for 'little Messi'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is tracking Lille youngster Eden Hazard, who can play through the middle and on either midfield flank according to reports in the British press. The Arsenal manager has been linked with other French Ligue 1 prospects Yohan Cabaye, who plays alongside Hazard at Lille, Henri Saivet at Bordeaux and Paris Saint Germain's Mamadou Sakho in the last year, employing former player and chief French scout Gilles Grimandi to monitor the talent in Ligue 1.

The attacking forward, who can play on both wings forced his way into the Lille first team last year and has become recognised as one of the hottest properties in French football. Chelsea, Inter Milan and Macnhester United hasve had scouts watch the player over the last year, but Wenger has reportedly instructed French scout Gilles Grimandi to watch Lille closely as the Arsenal mansger is interested in Hazard and his teammate Yohan Cabaye.

Former Lille manager and Current Olympique Lyonnais manager Claude Puel dubbed the talented Frenchman the 'Little Messi' after overseeing the youngsters move from Belgian minnows A.F.C Tubize in 2005.