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Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal nearly signed Eden Hazard'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims that he was close to signing Eden Hazard from Lille before the Belgian eventually opted for Chelsea.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he was close to signing Eden Hazard from Lille before the Belgian eventually opted for Chelsea.

The Gunners boss claimed that he had Hazard's agent discussing the deal at his home, but the Stamford Bridge outfit's superior financial clout ensured that the World Cup-bound midfielder would sign for the Blues instead.

When asked by beIN Sports about whether he was previously interested in the 23-year-old, Wenger replied: "Yes, I wanted to take him.

"I had his agent at my home but again the barrier was financial and Chelsea made an effort that I couldn't make.

"He can be one of the players who grows into the Messi, Ronaldo stature if he continues to develop well."

Hazard won the PFA Young Player of the Year after being nominated for the full award, taken by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

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Gustavo Poyet the Sunderland manager celebrates his team's 1-0 victory during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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