Liverpool set to use loan star as makeweight in deal for Belgian superstar
Liverpool look just about ready to let go of Joe Cole after it emerged that the former England international would likely be used as an incentive in any deal that brings Eden Hazard to Anfield.
The midfielder has earned the praise of many critics since his loan transfer to Ligue 1 side, Lille, with some even mentioning that the ex-Chelsea man could make his way back into the England plans of Fabio Capello.
Belgian international Hazard has been associated with a move to just about every European side out there with Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona appearing as frontrunners to gain his signature.
Although the permanent addition of Joe Cole will sweeten the deal somewhat, the offer won’t do much to reduce the asking price of Hazard, which currently stands at £35m.
That being said, Lille manager Rudi Garcia will appreciate the player-plus-cash deal especially seeing as Cole operates in a near identical position to his 20 year-old teammate, if not in the same capacity.
With Joe Cole moving moving to Lille on a permanent basis, it’s expected that Liverpool would still have to pay £30m of the price-tag placed on the Belgian and although it’s more likely that the move would come about in the summer, a January switch remains highly possible after the youngster himself admitted that he is “ready to leave for a bigger club”.
