Real Madrid star reveals Arsenal missed the chance to sign him as teenager

Real Madrid star Fede Valverde has become part of the furniture at the Santiago Bernabeu and has carved out a place for himself on the sidelines in recent years. He is a fan favorite, never lacking in work-rate, and his perseverance has been crucial to their Champions League victories of late. A grit that could have been used at the Emirates.

Valverde has revealed that Arsenal had the chance to sign him at the age of 16, not long before he was due to be signed by Real Madrid. The Gunners had Valverde on trial while he was at Penarol.

“I was 16 years old. They invited me to train with the first team for a week. I imagined a whole future there. When I arrived in England it was a lot of fun. When I saw the clothes they had for training… It was a different world. I enjoyed that week. I don't know if he remembers me, but El Dibu was one of those who helped me the most in everything,” he told Universo Valdano, quoted by Diario AS.

“He was the first to approach me, together with Bellerin, Alexis Sanchez or Cazorla. Within a few months I was already training in the Penarol first team.”

Valverde would play just thirteen games before being recruited by Los Blancos, spending a year at Real Madrid Castilla. However, a loan spell at Deportivo La Coruna was for him, and after a slow start he began making appearances in Real Madrid's first team. Los Blancos will be grateful that Arsenal did not make this move.