Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has revealed how he came close to joining Arsenal as a teenager, before the north London club backed out of the deal.
Valverde, who emerged through Real Madrid’s youth ranks to become an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, has won three LaLiga titles and two Champions League trophies since his first appearance for the senior team back in 2017.
But the Uruguayan, who has made 17 appearances across all competitions already this campaign, has revealed how his career could have been very different, had Arsenal not pulled the plug on signing him as a 16-year-old.
Ten years ago, while Arsene Wenger was still in charge of the club, Valverde was invited for a week-long trial with the Gunners’ first team, earning an opportunity to rub shoulders with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin.
‘I was 16,’ the midfielder told Marca, reflecting on the trial. ‘That’s it. This is my club. I’m going to grow here (at Arsenal).
‘In Uruguay, the Premier League is watched a lot. I imagined a future there. I enjoyed it and trained with spectacular players.
Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde has revealed how he was meant to join Arsenal as a teenager
The Uruguayan midfielder, left, is now an integral part of the Los Blancos’ star-studded team
Valverde (not pictured) went on trial at Arsenal back in 2014, during Arsene Wenger’s reign
‘I don’t know English and they had to explain all the work to me.’
Valverde went on to explain how Aston Villa’s World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez, who was a reserve goalkeeper for Arsenal at the time, offered him support during the trial.
‘I don’t know if he’ll remember me, but Dibu (Martinez) was one of the ones who helped me the most with everything, along with Bellerin, Alexis and Cazorla,’ he continued.
‘I didn’t know English and they had to explain all the work to me.
‘I was already competing with big people in the Uruguayan league. I felt that I was ready for a higher step.’
To Real Madrid’s benefit, Arsenal chose not to sign the midfielder — who has gone on to chalk up almost 200 appearances at the Bernabeu across a fruitful seven-year spell.
Valverde played a key role in Los Blancos’ LaLiga and Champions League double last campaign, featuring alongside Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo in Ancelotti’s star-studded team.
However, since the summer arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid have struggled to find the correct balance, conceding six points already in the LaLiga title race and slipping to 18th in the Champions League group stage table.
Valverde says he learned ‘a lot’ during his week-long trial but Arsenal chose not to sign him
He admitted that Emiliano Martinez (left) and Alexis Sanchez (right) were very supportive
Valverde has since won two Champions League trophies and three LaLiga titles at Real Madrid
Arsenal, meanwhile, are gunning for their first Premier League title since the days of Arsene Wenger, having twice come close under current manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners are already nine points behind league leaders Liverpool so far this season, having lost two and drawn four of their opening 11 matches.
Manchester City, who have won the last four Premier League titles, have also suffered a comparably slow start by their usual standards, drawing and losing twice each to slide five points behind the Reds already.
Arsenal will hope to close the gap on their rivals by triumphing over high-flying Nottingham Forest, who sit level on points with Arteta’s side, on Saturday.
