MANCHESTER UNITED TRANSFER RUMOURS: Hazard, Kagawa, Robben, Baines, Giroud Involved In Latest Speculation

Various, as yet unsubstantiated, sources are claiming that Eden Hazard has decided to join Manchester United. The player's agent, John Bico, yesterday claimed that agreements had been reached with United, Manchester City and Chelsea and the Lille star would announce his next destination by June 2.

Manchester City had been seen as favorites to sign the much-courted 21-year-old, before Chelsea emerged as front-runners in the final stretch. But French websites Mercato365 and Le10Sport claim that Hazard has been swayed by United's offer.

At this stage these sources are far from verified, although the BBC's Andrew Lindsay has also Tweeted that a source has informed him that Hazard will be joining United.

The logic would seem to be that Hazard has been convinced that he believes he has a better chance of a regular place in the first-team at Old Trafford. Something that Hazard's latest comments suggested would play an important role in his decision.

I do not know when a decision will be made about my future club, he said, according to Sky Sports..

It will be between Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.

The final choice also depends on how much play that I would get and the position where I play.

Not everyone can say that he can choose from these three clubs.

Expect the fun and games to continue for a few more days yet.

As if that news wasn't enough, it is also being reported that United have made an offer of £13.6 million for Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa. Goal.com states that United lodged the offer for the Japan international after fearing losing out to Arsenal's increased interest.

The stories for Hazard and Kagawa seem difficult to equate. Though, in theory, Kagawa and Hazard could play in the same side, with the former occupying a central role and the Belgian on the left, it would be a major surprise were United to sign both.

Seemingly even more far-fetched is a report in Metro linking United with a possible move for Arjen Robben. After missing a crucial penalty in the Champions League final defeat to Chelsea, the Dutch wideman was booed by sections of the crowd as he turned out for Holland in a friendly against Bayern at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. As a result, speculation has since suggested that Robben could be tempted to leave the Bavarians.

United was thought to be close to signing the 28-year-old before he joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in 2004, but the chances appear slim of Ferguson rekindling his interest at this stage of his career.

As the rumor mill goes into overdrive, further apparently dubious reports appeared in the Mirror this week, alleging that United had begun negotiations with Everton over a £12 million move to Old Trafford.

The story has since been smothered in cold water by the Liverpool Echo. The local paper states its belief that Baines is not after a move and that there are doubts over whether the left-back is a United target.

As the Echo rightly suggests, if Ferguson is looking for a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra would he really select someone who is just four years younger than the Frenchman? The deal would go against United's focus on youth as well as a stated policy of not committing large fees for players 26 or over.

One man that just beats that stipulation is 25-year-old striker Olivier Giroud. The Montpellier hitman finished joint top scorer in Ligue 1 as his unfancied club won their first league title. But reports have suggested that the France international could be set for a big move away this summer.

Caught Offside claims that Ferguson has had scouts watching Giroud and is eager to strike a deal before Euro 2012, where good performances could see his value rise considerably.