Arsenal Transfer Rumour: Eden Hazard Will Sign with Tottenham This Summer

France Football correspondent Vincent Villa is reporting a rumor that Lille winger Eden Hazard, the subject of incessant transfer rumors for over a year now, has agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window. Though the rumors have been swirling, it looks like Hazard hasn't completely made up his mind yet. 

It just keeps getting better for Harry Redknapp, who in the course of a week has:

  - been found not guilty of tax evasion;
  - been strongly linked to the England national team coaching vacancy;
  - overseen his Spurs side throttle Newcastle United 5-0.

And now comes the cherry on top.

Hazard, who made headlines two weeks ago when he said he'd be "playing in England next season," is on board with Tottenham's ambition and wants to help build upon Spurs' impressive form this season.

With the north London club (currently third in the Premier League standings, 10 points ahead of Chelsea) all but assured of Champions League football next term, Hazard feels comfortable about making his move.

Villa also reported that a major factor fueling Hazard's decision was playing time: the young winger did not want to be saddled in a deep collective where he might be rotated out frequently.

At Tottenham, he should be able to avoid that deal-breaker. Spurs have a very talented midfield, but don't have a multitude of depth to speak of.

Hazard will likely have the chance to play right away on the right wing (see ya, Aaron Lennon), something that apparently sold him on Spurs ahead of other English clubs who had shown interest in acquiring his services.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal were all reported to have been involved.

The prospect of a Gareth Bale-Eden Hazard combination on the wings next season for Tottenham is enough to make even the staunchest defense quiver. All that remains now, according to Villa, is negotiating a transfer fee for the 21-year-old Belgian, who had been listed at £40 million by Lille president Michel Seydoux back in November.

That sum would smash Tottenham's previous transfer record of £17 million, which they shelled out for David Bentley back in 2008.

That historical aside might make for an interesting plot line this summer. Hazard is still fair game to all other clubs until he signs.

With Roman Abramovich, who famously paid £50 million for Fernando Torres a year ago, looking to infuse some life into his sputtering Chelsea engine, there's every chance that Hazard could end up a club other than Tottenham.

Yet that will all come later. For now, we know Hazard's destination of choice. In the coming months, we'll see if he ends up there.