Real Madrid midfield heavyweight came close to joining Arsenal a decade ago | OneFootball

As Real Madrid gear up for a crucial Champions League encounter against Arsenal tonight, focus will be on Federico Valverde.

Apart from the sheer importance of Valverde in the Real Madrid first-team, this game will be important for the Uruguayan international for another reason.

As reported by AS, Valverde could have joined Arsenal ten years ago. At the time, the midfielder had even imagined a future at Emirates.

Valverde’s trail at Arsenal

Back in 2014, Valverde was already making waves in the youth system of Penarol, one of Uruguay’s biggest clubs.

His performances also earned him the captain’s armband for Uruguay’s youth teams, attracting attention from Europe. Among the first to act was Arsenal, then managed by Arsene Wenger.

Valverde was thus invited to London for a trial and even got the chance to train with the first-team. “I said to myself: ‘That’s it. This is my club. I’m going to grow here,’” Valverde had said in an interview with Jorge Valdano.

Federico Valverde could have become an Arsenal player ten years ago. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“In Uruguay, people watched a lot of Premier League matches. I imagined a future there,” the midfielder had further said.

However, the move collapsed when Penarol’s management asked for more money. Arsenal’s offer stood at €3.4 million, but negotiations broke down.

Real Madrid pounced on Valverde

Less than a year later, Valverde shone at the 2015 South American U-17 Championship, where his stock soared again.

While interest poured in from Chelsea and Barcelona, it was Real Madrid who moved swiftly, signing him for €5 million with an agreement to join once he turned 18.

The midfielder hasn’t had to look back since and is now considered one of the most important players for Los Blancos, who will play an equally key role as his team takes on the Gunners tonight.