Arsenal must pay £26m for Lille star Eden Hazard

Arsenal will be forced to pay in the region of £26m for Lille midfielder Eden Hazard after the French club upped their valuation.

The Belgian midfielder has been of interest to the Gunners after the departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.

The London club, who captured the signing of Gervinho from Lille for £11m, may be resigned to paying big money for the 20-year-old midfielder.

Despite the reported price tag, the Ligue 1 side are hopeful of holding on to their playmaker.

“I am not sure he wants to leave anyway,” talkSPORT quotes club president Michel Seydoux as saying. “He knows his status here and at a large club there is much more uncertainty."

Meanwhile, Wenger may face additional punishment from UEFA after appearing to send messages to his assistant Pat Rice during the club’s 1-0 win over Udinese in the Champions League play-off yesterday (Tuesday).