‘Completely illegal’- Harry Redknapp says Daniel Levy blocked superstar signing for Spurs
Harry Redknapp recently revealed that Eden Hazard was on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur from Lille, but the deal fell through due to Daniel Levy’s refusal to sanction the move. Instead, Chelsea capitalized on the opportunity, securing the talented winger.
Eden Hazard is widely recognized as one of the greatest players in Premier League history. During his time with Chelsea, he played 352 matches and scored 110 goals, playing a pivotal role in the club’s two league title wins.
However, history could have taken a different turn if Hazard had joined Tottenham instead.
Hazard was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the summer transfer window in 2012. Reports from the *Daily Mail* indicated strong interest from Spurs before Hazard ultimately decided to join Chelsea during the same window.
According to Hazard’s agent, John Bico, the Belgian international was ready to move to Spurs but reconsidered after seeing Luka Modric leave the club.
Harry Redknapp has shared insights into the failed transfer on various occasions. Speaking to the BBC’s *Sacked in the Morning* podcast, Redknapp disclosed that Levy did not approve the £16 million fee required to sign Hazard from Lille.
Redknapp explained, “My relationship with Daniel was good. I never had a problem with Daniel. But at that time, the club didn’t want to invest and spend that money. So, it didn’t happen. They were the players I wanted to bring in.”
Redknapp admitted to taking unorthodox measures to secure Hazard’s signature. He recounted, “I went over to watch him [Hazard] play, I think three times to France, and met him in a hotel room. Completely illegal, I know.
He wanted to come to Tottenham, and I wanted him desperately. I thought he was a genius. Joe Cole had called me and said, ‘Harry, I’m playing with the best player I’ve ever played with here [at Lille].’ That’s when I first went over to watch him. But Daniel, or the club at that time, didn’t want to sign him, and that’s how it goes.
When asked if Hazard wanted to join Spurs, Redknapp confirmed, “Oh yeah, at that time, yeah. It didn’t happen, and then obviously Chelsea came in later.” This revelation highlights how close Tottenham came to landing one of the Premier League’s most influential players.
While the exact reasons behind Tottenham missing out on Hazard remain unclear, one significant factor could have been the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Spurs finished fourth in the league, but Chelsea, who finished seventh, won the Champions League, thus securing their spot in the competition and subsequently beating Spurs to Hazard’s signature.
Despite Harry Redknapp’s reputation for embellishing the truth, his account sheds light on a crucial moment in Tottenham’s history.
The failure to sign Hazard might have been influenced by several factors, including financial constraints and the club’s inability to secure Champions League football.
The near-signing of Eden Hazard by Tottenham Hotspur is a fascinating what-if scenario in football history. Had the deal gone through, Hazard could have been a transformative player for Spurs, potentially altering the club’s trajectory.
Instead, Hazard’s brilliance shone at Chelsea, where he cemented his legacy as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats. This episode serves as a reminder of how crucial decision-making and timing can be in the world of football transfers.
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