Arsene Wenger insists he isn ’ t haunted by his decision to back out of signing Eden Hazard in 2012 – even if he does accept the Chelsea attacker is getting better every year . It might prove to be a stunning oversight on Wenger ’ s part , having pulled out of a deal to sign the 24-year-old from Lille . Talks got to such an advanced stage that Hazard ’ s agent discussed the move with Wenger in the Arsenal manager ’ s house , but the Frenchman ultimately ruled he could not compete financially with Chelsea , who landed this season ’ s standout player for £32million . Eden Hazard joined Chelsea for £32million in 2012 , an amount Arsenal could not afford to fork out . Hazard , who has had a standout season for Chelsea , even discussed terms in Arsene Wenger 's house . Belgium star Hazard joined Chelsea in May 2012 after impressing in Ligue 1 for French side Lille . That is looking like a tremendous bargain as Chelsea close in on the title , but Wenger said : ‘ I have no big regrets because - at the time - there was so much financially , so much money involved we could not afford it . And ( I could ) not defend it , honestly . ‘ It was linked with all the environment . It was not feasible for us financially. ’ Hazard is the frontrunner to be named player of the season after a stunning campaign . Going into Sunday ’ s clash at Arsenal , he has scored 18 and assisted 10 goals in only 43 starts . Wenger believes the gong will be a shootout between Hazard and Arsenal ’ s Alexis Sanchez . He said : ‘ It ’ s very close . Let ’ s not forget that for Eden Hazard it is not the first season but for Alexis Sanchez it is . So he will give him a fight and if Alexis doesn ’ t make it this year , he will give him a fight as well for next season . ‘ I think everybody would agree Hazard had a great season . He has found maturity that he did not have before . I believe his final ball is better , his personality on the pitch is stronger , the finishing aspect of his game is much better than before . ‘ He can turn games when it ’ s 0-0 and when it ’ s tight . That ’ s always a sign of top quality. ’ Wenger insists that his forward Alexis Sanchez ( centre ) will run Hazard close in the Player of the Year vote . Chelsea fans reach out to their star man during last weekend 's win against Manchester United .
Arsenal backed out of signing for Hazard in the summer of 2012 . Chelsea instead signed this season 's loan player for £ 32million . Arsene Wenger admits he does not have any chance at missing out . Chelsea admits that Hazard was not financially viable for Chelsea .