Eden Hazard was too expensive... Arsenal could not afford him, admits Arsene Wenger

  • Arsenal backed out of signing Eden Hazard in the summer of 2012
  • Chelsea instead landed this season's standout player for £32million 
  • Arsene Wenger admits he does not have any regrets at missing out 
  • Wenger says signing Hazard was not financially viable for Arsenal 

By Riath Al-Samarrai for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:31 EST, 24 April 2015 | Updated: 18:27 EST, 24 April 2015

Arsene Wenger insists he isn’t haunted by his decision to back out of signing Eden Hazard in 2012 – even if he does accept the Chelsea attacker is getting better every year.

It might prove to be a stunning oversight on Wenger’s part, having pulled out of a deal to sign the 24-year-old from Lille.

Talks got to such an advanced stage that Hazard’s agent discussed the move with Wenger in the Arsenal manager’s house, but the Frenchman ultimately ruled he could not compete financially with Chelsea, who landed this season’s standout player for £32million.

Eden Hazard joined Chelsea for £32million in 2012, an amount Arsenal could not afford to fork out

Eden Hazard joined Chelsea for £32million in 2012, an amount Arsenal could not afford to fork out

Hazard, who has had a standout season for Chelsea, even discussed terms in Arsene Wenger's house

Hazard, who has had a standout season for Chelsea, even discussed terms in Arsene Wenger's house

Belgium star Hazard joined Chelsea in May 2012 after impressing in Ligue 1 for French side Lille

Belgium star Hazard joined Chelsea in May 2012 after impressing in Ligue 1 for French side Lille

That is looking like a tremendous bargain as Chelsea close in on the title, but Wenger said: ‘I have no big regrets because - at the time - there was so much financially, so much money involved we could not afford it. And (I could) not defend it, honestly.

‘It was linked with all the environment. It was not feasible for us financially.’

Hazard is the frontrunner to be named player of the season after a stunning campaign. Going into Sunday’s clash at Arsenal, he has scored 18 and assisted 10 goals in only 43 starts.

Wenger believes the gong will be a shootout between Hazard and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez. He said: ‘It’s very close. Let’s not forget that for Eden Hazard it is not the first season but for Alexis Sanchez it is. So he will give him a fight and if Alexis doesn’t make it this year, he will give him a fight as well for next season.

‘I think everybody would agree Hazard had a great season. He has found maturity that he did not have before. I believe his final ball is better, his personality on the pitch is stronger, the finishing aspect of his game is much better than before.

‘He can turn games when it’s 0-0 and when it’s tight. That’s always a sign of top quality.’

Wenger insists that his forward Alexis Sanchez (centre) will run Hazard close in the Player of the Year vote

Wenger insists that his forward Alexis Sanchez (centre) will run Hazard close in the Player of the Year vote

Chelsea fans reach out to their star man during last weekend's win against Manchester United

Chelsea fans reach out to their star man during last weekend's win against Manchester United

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