Chelsea and Manchester United Handed Boost in Signing Inter Milan Star Fredy Guarin

Chelsea and Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit on signing Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin after the Italian club's president Erick Thohir conceded defeat in keeping the South American star at San Siro.

The 27-year-old has been a key player for the Serie A side this season and has been in impressive form, scoring three goals and managing four assists from 18 league starts. His form has seen him attract interest from the west London club and the Premier League champions in recent times.

Inter president has admitted that the Colombian international's heart is set on joining another club. Despite confirming Guarin's desire to leave the Milan club, Thohir refused to reveal if he will make a move to Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford in January.

"Guarín is a great player, I like him a lot. We would obviously love to keep him, but the situation in Europe is not like in Indonesia," Thohir said, as quoted in the Mirror.

"When there are great offers from big clubs, we have to take them into account. And above all, we can't make a player stay when his heart is not in it, but at another club," Inter president concluded.

The midfielder's agent Marcelo Ferreyra earlier revealed to have travelled to London and held talks with Chelsea officials over a potentially transfer to Stamford Bridge in the ongoing transfer window.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on the Blues' star Eden Hazard for his performance for the Europa League winners in recent times. The Belgium international opened the scoring against Hull City before Fernando Torres extended the lead to seal a 2-0 win.

Hazard has scored nine goals and managed five assists in 21 league appearances.

"He's been playing very well for a long time. The club made a big investment in him last year.Now the player is no longer a talented kid, he is now more than that," Mourinho explained.

"He is a player that feels and accepts the responsibility, feels and accepts that a team player is more than a talented player. Without losing his fantastic ability and talent, he is giving us other things, so the kid is in a very good moment of his career."