Real Madrid star reveals secret Arsenal trial

That’s right, the Gunners had a chance to sign the talented Federico Valverde before he ended up at Real Madrid

Federico Valverde, the Real Madrid midfielder, has revealed that Arsenal passed up on the opportunity to sign him.

One year before joining Real Madrid for €5 million from Uruguayan side Penarol in 2016, Valverde had a week-long trial at Arsenal. It was there he met Alexis Sanchez, who gave him a helping hand during his brief time in London.

“I have always been grateful to him,” Valverde said of Sanchez, who now plays for Inter Milan in Italy.

“When I went to train at Arsenal, Alexis was there and he was one of the few who came up to help me. I will always be grateful to him because, being a nobody, I was well-received by him. He was there to help me when I was a kid.

“As a footballer, he is an incredible player.”

Arsenal, then coached by Arsene Wenger, chose not to sign Valverde after the trial.

The 25-year-old midfielder soon made the move to Europe though by joining Real Madrid. He first played for the Castilla team and went out on loan to Deportivo de La Coruña, before graduating to the first team in 2018.

Valverde has since gone on to become a vital player for Real Madrid. He has already made 208 appearances, scoring 18 goals and dishing out 15 assists, to help the club win the Champions League and two LaLiga titles.

He also scored in Uruguay’s 3-1 win over Sanchez’s Chile team on Saturday, although Alexis didn’t play due to a lack of match fitness.