BREAKING NEWS: Hazard set to seal Chelsea switch

By Greg Stobart

Eden Hazard is set to sign for Chelsea after finally making a decision on his future, Goal.com understands.

The £32 million-rated Lille attacker is understood to have agreed personal terms with the Blues and is likely to sign for the Stamford Bridge club this week.

Manchester United and Manchester City were also given permission to talk to Hazard but the 21-year-old decided over the weekend to sign for Chelsea, finally bringing the end to the ongoing transfer saga.

On Monday morning, the Belgian then suggested an announcement is imminent when he wrote on Twitter: "good afternoon guys. i made up my mind. see you later. thanks".

Chelsea are believed to have met the financial demands of Hazard and his agent while also swaying his decision by offering a regular starting spot.

The Blues stepped up their pursuit of one of Europe’s hottest talents following their triumph in the Champions League final, which guaranteed they will feature in Europe’s elite competition next season.

Hazard admitted after his final game for Lille that Chelsea’s Champions League triumph had forced him to reconsider his future, having previously been set to join Premier League champions Manchester City.

“Chelsea could interest me now,” Hazard said. “They've won the Champions League and will therefore be in it next season. It's really important for me to be playing in that competition.

"Chelsea are a big club with some great players – of course it's a possibility.”

Manchester United and Manchester City had long been considered to be in a two-horse race for Hazard, but both clubs were believed to be concerned by financial terms being discussed, particularly the £5m fee his agent wanted for the deal.

Hazard was City’s top target for the summer, attending the Manchester derby in late April as a guest of the club before being shown around houses in the area.

But City manager Roberto Mancini has been delivered a chilling snub and Hazard is now set for a move to Chelsea, where Blues owner Roman Abramovich is ready to fund a regeneration of the squad over the summer.

The Ligue 1 player of the season is one of the most highly-rated talents in Europe and has been in stunning form this season, scoring 20 league goals and providing 22 assists.