Arsene Wenger praises Lille's Hazard

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Arsene Wenger believes highly-rated Lille playmaker Eden Hazard "has what it takes" to play for a top-level club like Arsenal.

Hazard has attracted interest from a string of Europe's leading clubs and has previously been linked with a £30million move to Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini recently acknowledged his admiration for the Belgium international, who was rumoured to be a January target for Paris St Germain.

Hazard will finish the season with reigning French champions Lille, but has revealed his future ambition is to play in the Premier League.

Arsenal are reported to be long-term admirers of the 21-year-old and Wenger feels Hazard has the talent to be a success on the biggest stage.

"I like Eden Hazard a lot, and for many reasons," Wenger told La Derniere Heure.

"His creative ability, his talent for unbalancing opponents, his vision of the game, and his consummate skill in making the final pass all make him an in-demand player.

"Hazard has what it takes to play for a top-level club, and Arsenal are a top-level club."

However, Wenger hinted that he would have to take financial considerations into account if he decided to make a bid to bring Hazard to the Emirates Stadium.

He added: "You should know that each season, it is imperative to show a profit of between £15m-£20m.

"I would add that the purpose of a coach is to always buy at a price he sees fit."