Gervinho backs Eden Hazard to star in England

Arsenal striker Gervinho believes that his former Lille teammate Eden Hazard would be a success in the Premier League.

Hazard has been linked with a number of English clubs in recent months and has admitted that he is ready to leave Lille at the end of the season.

Gervinho, who won the French Ligue One title with Hazard at Lille last season, has backed the Belgian striker to excel abroad.

"Hazard is a young player with enormous quality," Gervinho told French radio show RMC Sports.

"If he has decided to leave, it is normal for clubs to be interested, as he has the level to triumph in a big league like England.

"Eden has learned a lot at Lille, and I believe he could succeed abroad. Where he goes is up to the clubs. But it will be a big operation."

Lille are expected to want more than £30m for the 20-year-old, who has been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter and AC Milan in recent months.

Hazard has made 24 appearances for Belgium, scoring one goal.