“Joe Cole was playing with him at Lille and Joe rang me saying, ‘Harry, I’m playing with a boy at Lille and he’s the best player I’ve ever played with’, and Joe played with some top players at Chelsea.”
Hazard made his first-team debut in the 2007/08 campaign but caught the eye of potential suitors after scoring 10 goals in all competitions three years later.
Redknapp took the advice he was given by Cole and travelled to see if Hazard was worth bidding for.
“I went over to Lille four times, but the first time I saw enough, I knew," he added.
Eden Hazard was close to a move to Tottenham before joining Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
Eden Hazard scored 50 goals in 194 appearances for Lille (Image: GETTY)
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Eventually I met with him in a hotel and spent an hour or so chatting with him
Harry Redknapp on Eden Hazard
“I kept turning up trying to actually meet with him. I watched to have a chat with him.
“Eventually I met with him in a hotel and spent an hour or so chatting with him.
“I was over there all the time.”
Redknapp was Spurs boss from 2008 until 2012, leading them to two top-four finishes in three years.
Eden Hazard eventually joined Chelsea and has now scored 102 goals for the club (Image: GETTY)
“Joe put me onto him in the first place when he was very young, he’s just a genius,” the 71-year-old said.
Hazard has had public disagreements with Sarri in recent weeks, including about what is he best position on the pitch.
“I don’t know how Sarri can criticise Hazard – every time he gets the ball the game changes,” Redknapp added.
“He’s just amazing. His strengthen on the ball, his ability to change direction and change pace, he really is a fantastic player.”