Lucien Favre addresses Thorgan Hazard to Dortmund speculation | OneFootball

Lucien Favre has expressed his admiration for Thorgan Hazard amid rumours that he could be heading to Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Dortmund are reportedly interested in signing Hazard as their replacement for Christian Pulisic, who will be joining Chelsea at the end of the season.

Kicker reported last week that the Belgian has already agreed to join the Black and Yellows, and is even willing to let his contract run down and move to the Westfalenstadion on a free contract next summer if the two clubs are unable to agree a transfer fee.

And naturally, Dortmund boss Favre was asked in his press conference about the player he once brought to Gladbach back in 2014.

“Hazard is a very, very good player and I met him in Gladbach,” Favre told reporters.

But when asked about the recent transfer speculation, the Swiss coach remained tight-lipped.

“I do not know anything about it [the transfer rumours],” he added.

Favre also spoke about 20-year-old Argentine centre-back Leonardo Balerdi, who joined Dortmund from Boca Juniors in January but is yet to make his first-team debut for the club.

“With Leo Balerdi we have always said that he is one for the future,” said Favre.

“He will be integrated slowly. Now he plays in the under-23s, for the next season he is fully part of our plans.”