Blues attacker held Spurs talks in 2012.
Tottenham Hotspur came close to signing Eden Hazard while he was still at previous club Lille, according to claims from former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.
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The Daily Telegraph reports that Redknapp held lengthy talks trying to persuade the Belgian international to choose a move to White Hart Lane instead of Stamford Bridge, but failed to do so without the lure of Champions League football.
Tottenham had finished in the top four that season, only to be relegated to the Europa League after sixth-placed Chelsea sprung a shock and won the Champions League itself to claim their place in the competition as holders for the following season.
This persuaded Hazard to move to the Blues instead, though Redknapp insists he was enthusiastic about the chance to join Spurs and play alongside Gareth Bale in his side.
“I think he was dead keen to come at that time,” the Queens Park Rangers boss said. “Joe Cole said he thought he was the best player he ever played with. He’s a fantastic talent and a great player.
“We pushed on for him. We just couldn’t get it over the line.”
Hazard has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best attacking midfield players in Europe, fulfilling the tremendous potential seen in him during his days as a youngster in Ligue 1.
The 23-year-old has 34 goals in 123 games for Chelsea, and had the pick of a number of top European clubs when he made the decision to move from Lille.