Harry Redknapp reveals Tottenham Hotspur missed out on signing Eden Hazard
Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t The Mirror), former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has opened up on the club’s failed bid to sign Eden Hazard in 2012.
The Belgian superstar could have been strutting his stuff in North London had Chelsea not pulled off a miracle against Bayern Munich in that summer’s Champions League final.
The Bundesliga giants dominated proceedings and looked to be on their way to lifting the European crown. They were just two minutes away from glory, only for Didier Drogba to draw the Blues level.
Tottenham Hotspur missed out on signing Eden Hazard in 2012
Redknapp claimed he spoke to Hazard about a move from Lille ahead of the 2012/13 season. The Belgian, however, was keen on playing in the UEFA Champions League.
Spurs ended the 2011/12 campaign in fourth spot. This would have seen them compete in Europe’s premier club competition provided Chelsea did not upset Bayern.
“I lost Eden Hazard. He wanted to come to Tottenham but he said he would only come if we
got Champions League football.”
Harry Redknapp was in touch with Hazard before the 2012/13 season
Unfortunately, our poor luck saw us make way for our London rivals as they took our spot in the competition.
Armed with Champions League football to offer, the Blues went on to sign Hazard that summer. He spent seven fruitful years at Stamford Bridge before moving to Real Madrid last summer.
“We finished fourth that year, Chelsea finished sixth, they won the Champions League and we
didn’t make it.”
Hazard moved to Real Madrid in 2019
Had we signed Hazard that summer, he could have potentially teamed up with a high-flying Gareth Bale at Tottenham. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
Events in football sometimes transpire by the finest of margins. In Hazard’s case, it all came down to Bayern not taking their chances against Chelsea.
