Harry Redknapp has revealed the three biggest transfer misses of his managerial career, including failed moves for Arsenal and Chelsea legends Ian Wright, Eden Hazard, and Patrick Vieira.
The 79-year-old, who managed Bournemouth, West Ham, Portsmouth, and Tottenham among others, said the deals stood out as ones that got away.
Missed Ian Wright at Bournemouth
Redknapp recalled missing out on Wright while in charge of Bournemouth in the mid-1980s, after signing Carl Richards from Enfield for £10,000.
“I missed Ian Wright when Carl Richards told me his mate wanted a trial at Bournemouth,” Redknapp said on Overlap Daily.
“I signed Carl Richards for 10 grand from Enfield, came in pre-season and he was so bad I’d never seen anything like it.”
Richards asked if his friend could have a trial, but Redknapp turned him down after Richards said his mate was not as good as him.
Hazard and Vieira near-misses at Spurs
More than two decades later, Redknapp came close to signing Hazard while at Tottenham, after a recommendation from Joe Cole.
“I met Eden Hazard,” Redknapp recalled. “Joe Cole rang me when he was at Lille and said, ‘I’m playing with the best player I’ve ever played with!’”
The move fell through because Daniel Levy would not spend the money, with Redknapp saying the fee was about £18 million.
Redknapp also tried to sign Vieira in 2009 when the Frenchman was at Inter, meeting him at his house.
“That would have been a mind-blowing signing when you look back on it,” he said. “Patrick Vieira to take to Tottenham. I met Patrick at his house. He wanted to come, he was keen.”
Vieira never made the move and instead signed for Manchester City in January 2010, where he finished his career.
