Federico Valverde, the Uruguayan midfielder who has become a key player for Real Madrid, has confirmed that he turned down the chance to join Arsenal at the age of 16.
A Trial with Arsenal
In 2014, Valverde went on a brief trial with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, but he ultimately decided that staying in his homeland would be the best move for his development.
Why Valverde Chose to Stay in Uruguay
Valverde revealed in The Players’ Tribune that he was never interested in moving to England, citing concerns about being away from his family and adapting to a new culture.
“I Never Wanted to Go to England”
Valverde wrote, “If you Google me, you will see stories about how I almost went to Arsenal when I was 16.
That’s maybe half-true. It’s nothing against Arsenal, but I never wanted to go to England.”
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A Different Path
Had Valverde joined Arsenal, he could have followed a similar path to Cesc Fabregas, who left Barcelona as a teenager and went on to become a star player for the Gunners.
Valverde’s Rise to Prominence
Instead, Valverde joined Real Madrid’s Castilla ranks in 2016 and has since become an integral player for the Spanish giants, scoring 29 goals and providing 27 assists in 297 appearances.
What Could Have Been for Arsenal?
Valverde’s ability to play in various midfield roles could have been an asset for Arsenal, particularly with the impending departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
However, the Gunners are set to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad to address their midfield needs.
A Missed Opportunity for Arsenal?
Valverde’s rejection of Arsenal at 16 will go down as one of the nearly-but-not-quite transfers for the Gunners under Wenger.
