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Football: Arsenal were close to signing Eden Hazard before Chelsea offered more money, Arsene Wenger reveals

Eden Hazard | PA

And on his own long-term future, the Gunners boss suggests if he were to move away from the Emirates, Germany could be his destination

Eden Hazard | PA

Arsene Wenger has claimed Arsenal were close to signing Eden Hazard back in 2012 only for Chelsea to steal him from their grasp – and the Frenchman’s house.

The Belgian midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge for £32million at the start of last season from Ligue 1 club Lille.

He has since excelled and was last week named the PFA Young Player of the Year – and picked in the Team of the Year – after scoring 14 times for Jose Mourinho’s men.

However, Wenger has claimed things could have been so different with Hazard close to agreeing a switch to north London.

The Arsenal boss told BeIN Sports: 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.

Meanwhile, Wenger has admitted a future move to the Bundesliga would be a lure in the future.

The Frenchman is out of contract this summer and although he is widely expected to pen a new deal, he admits a switch to Germany could one day be a possibility.

He continued: If I was to go somewhere then I think it would be in a different country because I am so much Arsenal that I would not like to coach anywhere else in England.

Germany (is an option) because I am of German culture a little bit and it’s a country where I have never worked and I am very close to it.

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