January was an ideal opportunity to swipe him. If City fail to win the league come the end of the season, Hazard is a City player, it's that simple. The window was quiet, City were off the radar. We could have sealed the deal, and let him stay at Lille until the end of the season (if that had been his/the clubs wish). Metaphorically, signing him under the cover of darkness. Acquiring a player of this caliber & maintaining CL status, counterbalance inflated prices.