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ESPN staff 9y

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal could not have afforded Eden Hazard

Arsene Wenger has "no big regrets" over Arsenal's failure to sign Eden Hazard before his switch to Chelsea, saying: "It was not feasible for us financially."

Hazard had been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal after making the breakthrough at Lille, but ultimately Chelsea won the battle to sign the Belgian, who had also attracted interest from both Manchester clubs, in the summer of 2012.

Chelsea paid a reported £32 million for Hazard's signature, on a deal said to be worth around £150,000-a-week, and Wenger said that was not possible for his club at that stage.

"I have no big regrets because, at the time, there was so much so much money involved we could not afford it, and not defend it, honestly," Wenger said ahead of Sunday's meeting with Chelsea.

"It was linked with all the environment. It was not feasible for us financially."

Arsenal also allowed former Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas to join Chelsea last summer despite having the option to sign him after he left Barcelona, but Wenger said the full reasons for that decision have not yet come to light.

Arsenal had adopted a more conservative approach in the transfer market after moving to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, but they have more recently started to pay substantial fees for players, including Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

Wenger has said that Sanchez, who joined from Barcelona last summer for a reported £35 million, should be a close contender for the PFA Player of the Year award this season.

"He should run him [Hazard] very close," Wenger said. "He has had a big impact and let's remember, it is not the first season [in England] for Eden Hazard. For Alexis Sanchez it is his first season.

"If Alexis doesn't make it this year, he will give him a fight for next season. He is my choice for Player of the Year, but only because he is my player."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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