As always with Liverpool, no details were revealed about Joe Cole’s loan move to Lille. It has been speculated however that Lille will only be paying a third of Cole’s sizeable wages while he is on a season long loan. Considering this significant concession to Lille in this regard, it has led to some reports that Liverpool will be getting something in return from the French club.
Some French sources have stated that Director of Football Damien Comolli has managed to secure first refusal on Lille’s potential superstar Eden Hazard. In Cole’s press conference in France today, Lille president Michel Seydoux refused to confirm that such an agreement was in place, and only said that there weren’t any favours given to Liverpool while in negotiations over the loan deal for Cole.
Still, if the first option speculation was confirmed, it could be said that Damien Comolli has done a very good deal on Liverpool’s part. Hazard is a very exciting young player, and has been linked with the Reds, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid, and has been tipped by French great Zinedine Zidane to excel at the highest level. A first option agreement would mean the Reds would get the opportunity to be the first club to negotiate with Hazard before the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
There are of course problems to any such agreement. Hazard may not be interested in a move to Liverpool in the first place, making any first option agreement null and void. The Reds could be given permission to speak to the Belgian playmaker but there would be guaranteed he would accept the Merseyside club as first choice.
It would be great. Maybe something like: The part of the wages we as LFC had to pay for Cole will be subtracted from any deal for Hazard.
I’ve read these rumours too and I’ve heard them substantiated by a northern-based French newspaper. However, I’m reluctant to accept it. It’s just a hunch and I can’t really back it up. But it feels unlikely.
Problem is Hazard now spends a season with Joe Cole and asks him whats Liverpool like and Cole tells him it was a nightmare don’t go there!
Hey Bruce… get an idea mate! What a negative chap you must be!
Here are some positives:
Hopefully vll do well in the league, competing for the LE.. Qualifying for champions league and hopefully convince Hazard v r a good enough club to for a superstar like you
A year is a long time in football.look at fernando ‘traitor’ torres.maybe a year from now,we won’t even want him
I would want him at Liverpool in a year but Liverpool must show that they are side capable of compeating, not just barely secure CL spot.
If Real, Barca or Chelsea want him CL place is not good enough any more.