Eden Hazard
Lille's Eden Hazard celebrates his penalty during French Ligue 1 match against Saint Etienne at Lille Metropole Stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq. REUTERS

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he faces a battle to sign Lille winger Eden Hazard in the summer, amid reported interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.

Hazard, 21, has been linked with a string of top European sides after a breakout season in Ligue 1.

The Belgian international has scored 11 goals in 27 games for Lille during the current campaign and Tottenham are just one of a number of clubs believed to be monitoring his progress.

Nevertheless, Redknapp acknowledged that Tottenham could struggle to match Premier League high-rollers Manchester City should both clubs express an interest in the player.

"Our chairman is willing to pay for an exceptional talent, like Eden Hazard," he is quoted on ESPN Soccernet. "I have seen him several times recently, in Marseille [in January] and then also against PSG in the final of the Coupe de France [last May].

"But I also know that Manchester United are looking at him and also Manchester City. It will be difficult to get him, but I like him a lot."

According to ESPN, Tottenham are also keeping tabs on Marseille striker Loic Remy and Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud, as Redknapp looks to bolster his strike force in the summer transfer window.

And BBC pundit Alan Hansen has implored the Tottenham board to back their manager in the summer, as the club looks to keep pace with their Manchester rivals.

"Whether the speculation over the England manager's job is affecting Harry Redknapp or not, it is certainly affecting Tottenham Hotspur and their players," Hansen told the Telegraph.

"There is an easy way for Tottenham to deal with this and take control of the issue, however. If I was in charge at White Hart Lane, I would be offering Harry a four-year contract with a war-chest for him to go and get the players he needs to take Spurs to the next level."