Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard has indicated his desire to leave France next summer. REUTERS

Tottenham Hotspur look set to battle Arsenal for the signature of Lille striker Eden Hazard, according to reports in the Metro.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been monitoring Hazard for over a year, but the 20-year-old playmaker has also attracted interest from both Spurs and Manchester City in recent weeks after he revealed a desire to leave Ligue 1 at the end of the season.

"I feel ready to make it to the next level at a big club," he told L'Equipe in October. "I stayed in Lille this season because there were still things I had to work on, things to prove. But now, I'm ready."

Arsenal had appeared the most likely destination for the Belgium international but Spurs have emerged as a possible rival in January as Harry Redknapp looks to fire his side into the Champions League.

Redknapp is rumoured to have told chairman Daniel Levy the £35m-rated forward is the type of player the club needs if they are to achieve a top-four finish this season.

Hazard, who is contracted to Lille until 2015, has been linked with a move to Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain but the player has hinted his next move will be abroad.

"Paris is not for now," he said. "Paris is magical, as they say. Of course it attracts me, but for now, no. In France I do not want to build a rival club to Lille. After France, I want to go abroad."

Arsenal striker Gervinho has welcomed reports former team-mate Hazard could move to the Emirates Stadium. The pair played together at Lille before Gervinho joined Arsenal in the summer and the Gunners' striker believes Hazard would thrive in the Premier League.

"Hazard is a young player with enormous quality. He has everything it takes to triumph in England.

"Eden has learned a lot at Lille, and I believe he could succeed abroad."