Real Madrid Midfielder Reveals Arsenal Near-Miss in Career Path

Real Madrid’s versatile midfielder, Federico Valverde, recently disclosed that his career could have taken a different turn, with Arsenal being a potential destination. Valverde, a prominent figure in his position, has made significant contributions to the La Liga giants in recent seasons.

The Uruguayan international shared his revelation on TikTok, admitting that he was on the verge of donning the Arsenal jersey. Interestingly, Valverde went on to reveal that he had undergone a trial with the North London club during Arsene Wenger’s tenure.

🇺🇾 “A team you've been close to signing for?”.

🔴⚪️ Fede Valverde reveals: “Arsenal”.

…for context, it was in 2016 — before joining Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/RXxQK7t4la

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 20, 2023

However, Arsenal chose not to secure his services, and shortly after, Valverde made his way to Real Madrid.

This revelation adds Valverde to the list of talents that Arsenal had the chance to sign during Wenger’s reign but missed out on. The South American midfielder’s journey to Real Madrid began in 2016 when he made the transition from Penarol. Since then, he has become a vital part of the squad, contributing to their success with two La Liga titles and one Champions League trophy. With 19 goals and 18 assists in 215 games since his debut in the 2018-19 season, Valverde has proven his worth in the world of football.