Harry Redknapp said Daniel Levy did not sanction a move of about £18 million for Eden Hazard when Redknapp was Tottenham manager.
Redknapp's account
Speaking about the missed opportunity, 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."
How the contact happened
Redknapp said Joe Cole called him while Cole was at Lille and said he was playing with "the best player I’ve ever played with." Redknapp also said he went to watch Hazard, returned again the following week, and met the player in a hotel room with his agent.
Fee and eventual outcome
Redknapp said Hazard wanted to come to Tottenham, but Levy did not want to spend the money, with the fee at about £18 million. CaughtOffside wrote that Hazard eventually joined Chelsea in 2012, with that deal worth approximately £32 million.