MusaEden Hazard was regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young talents during his time at Lille, attracting attention from several top clubs before eventually joining Chelsea in the summer of 2012.
However, former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has revealed just how close the north London club came to signing the Belgian superstar, claiming that the player was willing to move to White Hart Lane before the deal collapsed over financial concerns.
Redknapp disclosed that he personally travelled to watch Hazard in action after receiving a glowing recommendation from former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who was playing alongside the winger at Lille at the time.
According to the former Spurs boss, Cole was so impressed by Hazard’s ability that he contacted him directly, describing the Belgian as the best player he had ever played with.
Redknapp subsequently watched Hazard on several occasions before arranging a meeting with the player and his agent. Despite the encouraging discussions, Tottenham ultimately failed to complete the transfer because Daniel Levy was reportedly unwilling to meet the financial demands involved.
Harry Redknapp Explains How Tottenham Came Close to Signing Eden Hazard
Speaking about Tottenham’s missed opportunity, Redknapp recalled how Joe Cole first brought Hazard to his attention.
Cole’s recommendation prompted the former Spurs manager to take a closer look at the Lille attacker, whose performances had already attracted interest from several major European clubs.
After watching him play, Redknapp returned the following week and eventually met Hazard and his representative in a hotel room to discuss a potential move to Tottenham.
The most significant revelation was Redknapp’s claim that Hazard was prepared to join Spurs, only for the proposed transfer to fall apart because the club’s hierarchy was reluctant to invest the required amount.
Speaking on BT Sport, Redknapp said:
“Well, I met Eden Hazard. Joe Cole rang me. He was at Lille, and he said, ‘I’m playing with the best player I’ve ever played with.’ I went over and watched him, went back again the week after, and met him in a hotel room with his agent, and he wanted to come. But at the time, Daniel didn’t want to spend the money on him. I think it was about £18 million.”
Redknapp’s comments have reignited the debate surrounding Tottenham’s transfer decisions under Levy, particularly given the extraordinary career Hazard went on to enjoy at Chelsea.
Eden Hazard Became a Chelsea Legend After Tottenham Missed Out
Tottenham’s failure to secure Hazard’s signature became an even more painful memory when Chelsea won the race for the Belgian’s services in the summer of 2012.
The Stamford Bridge outfit reportedly paid around £32 million to sign him from Lille, shortly after lifting their first Champions League trophy.
Hazard quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacking players, using his exceptional dribbling, creativity, acceleration and ability to produce decisive moments to torment opposition defenders.
During his seven seasons in English football, the Belgian became a central figure in Chelsea’s success, helping the club win two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies and an FA Cup.
He recorded 110 goals and 85 assists in 352 Premier League appearances, while also collecting numerous individual awards in recognition of his outstanding performances.
His influence extended beyond his statistics, with Hazard regularly delivering in crucial matches and becoming one of the most feared attacking players in the division.
In 2019, he departed Chelsea to join Real Madrid in a high-profile transfer, having already secured his status as one of the club’s modern greats.
Daniel Levy’s Transfer Decision Remains a Major Talking Point Among Tottenham Fans
For Tottenham supporters, Redknapp’s revelation raises an intriguing question about what might have happened had the club completed the deal.
Hazard’s willingness to join Spurs, as claimed by Redknapp, suggests that Tottenham had a genuine opportunity to secure a player who would later become one of the Premier League’s biggest stars.
The reported £18 million figure mentioned by Redknapp makes the story even more striking, although the circumstances and final cost of any potential deal remain important considerations when assessing how close the transfer actually came.
Levy frequently faced criticism from sections of the Tottenham fanbase over his cautious approach to recruitment, strict wage structure and reluctance to sanction certain major investments.
Although the club made significant progress off the pitch during his tenure, including the construction of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, supporters often questioned whether its transfer strategy matched its ambitions on the pitch.
Missing out on Hazard became a particularly compelling example in that debate because the Belgian eventually flourished at a direct London rival.
While it is impossible to know how Hazard’s career would have unfolded at Tottenham, Redknapp’s account offers a fascinating glimpse into a transfer that could have dramatically changed the club’s modern history.
For Spurs fans, the prospect of Hazard wearing the white shirt remains a reminder of how one decision in the transfer market can have consequences that last for years.
Musa
