Harry Redknapp’s almost XI: Ex-Tottenham boss reveals he missed out on Eden Hazard… but who else did he almost sign?

HARRY REDKNAPP missed out on a number of huge signings during his incredible 34-year managerial career.

The 73-year-old revealed he came close to signing Eden Hazard when he was in charge of Tottenham in 2012.

But that was just one of the big names that the former West Ham boss fell short of.

SunSport have scratched beneath the surface to find out who else he failed to sign.

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Thibaut Courtois played for Genk before he made the move to London[/caption]

Thibaut Courtois

Redknapp claimed he came close to landing the keeper from Genk before his move to Chelsea in 2011.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “The goalkeeper, Courtois, we had him for next to nothing when he was 17 and that was another deal that dragged on forever and we didn’t get over the line.

“He should have been at Tottenham.”

PA:Press Association

Gary Cahill spent seven years with Chelsea after he joined from Bolton [/caption]

Gary Cahill

One of Redknapp’s “big regrets” is missing out on signing Cahill for Spurs, claimed his son Jamie.

During a video with Cahill for the Daily Mail, Jamie said: “I went to one those games against Tottenham [for Bolton] and I remeber my dad saying afterwards, ‘I’ve got to sign him, he’s different class.’

“Then you went to Chelsea. I know for a fact one of my dad’s big regrets is missing out on you.”

PA:Press Association

Harry Redknapp made it known that he was a big admirer of John Terry[/caption]

John Terry

Terry received “a good offer” from Redknapp to sign him for Birmingham City in 2017.

Speaking at the time, Redknapp said: “I’d love to have him at the football club.

“He’s a fantastic captain and great leader. We’ve made him a good offer and we have done the best we can.”

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Ashley Cole joined LA Galaxy in 2016 after his spell with Roma[/caption]

Ashley Cole

SunSport revealed in 2017 that Redknapp was eyeing a sensational move to bring the left-back to Birmingham.

The manager wanted to snap him up after being impressed by his spell in America with LA Galaxy.

But even with the temptation of reuniting with Terry at St. Andrew’s, Cole did not join.

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Patrick Vieira achieved legendary status with the Gunners [/caption]

Patrick Vieira

Redknapp claimed Arsenal legend Vieira wanted to join him at Spurs from Inter Milan.

Speaking in 2009, he said: “I’m still interested in Patrick, I would like him. What’s he done wrong? He hasn’t killed anyone. He’s just a great player who played for Arsenal.

“If he wants to come to Tottenham, it shows you about his character. He wants to come and play, he’s a fantastic player and wants to play here.”

David Beckham

England legend Becks trained with Spurs in 2011 – but ended up joining Paris Saint-Germain.

Redknapp told The Sun: “If David wants to come to Tottenham, I’d welcome him with open arms.

“He’s definitely still good enough to play in the Premier League. His game was never about pace, so whether he’s quick or not isn’t an issue.”

Reuters

Harry Redknapp looked stunned as Gennaro Gattuso hit out at Joe Jordan[/caption]

Gennaro Gattuso

An unnamed agent offered Gattuso to Spurs in 2011 – the same year he headbutter Redknapp’s right-hand man Joe Jordan.

Speaking to The Sun in 2011, he said: “I will admit that Gattuso was a player I considered signing last summer.

“Gattuso was offered to Tottenham by an agent.”

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Santi Cazorla in action against Barcelona legend Lionel Messi[/caption]

Santi Cazorla

Redknapp revealed he was on the brink of signing the Spaniard for Tottenham.

Instead, Cazorla went on to join Arsenal from Malaga.

Writing for the Stanard, he recalled: “The deal was almost done but it got lost somewhere in the negotiations.”

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Eden Hazard made it clear that he wanted to play Champions League football [/caption]

Eden Hazard

Redknapp missed out on Hazard eight years ago as Tottenham did not qualify for the champions League.

He said: We lost Eden Hazard, he wanted to come to Tottenham but he said he would only come if we got Champions League football.

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Andriy Shevchenko failed to impress after he joined Chelsea in 2006[/caption]

Andriy Shevchenko

Redknapp incredibly turned down the chance to sign the striker when he was in charge of West Ham.

He said: “I was offered him about four years ago when he was only 19, we had him over for training for three or four days and I remember watching him play for us in a game against Barnet reserves at Chadwell Heath.

“He didn’t pull up any trees, but looked decent enough. But this was just after I had all those problems with the Romanian lads and I thought the last thing I needed was a Ukrainian.”

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Luis Suarez spent four years with Ajax before he joined Liverpool[/caption]

Luis Suarez

Suarez emerged as a target for Redknapp when he was playing for Ajax in 2012.

During an interview on talkSport, he said: “I took Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen on free transfers [in February 2012] – we were short, we had injuries at centre half and I had no striker.

“If we had gone out [and invested] then… Luis Suarez was a player that we were looking at.”