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Federico Valverde ‘shook hands on a transfer to Arsenal for just £2.7m in 2014’ when he was still with Penarol in Uruguay ‘and even trained with the first team at London Colney’ – before Real Madrid ducked for the midfielder
- Arsenal were reportedly close to signing Federico Valverde for just £2.7million
- It is suggested that the club has ‘verbally agreed’ to sign the midfielder
- It is even believed that Valverde first trained with Arsenal in 2014
- The Gunners turned down an offer and Real Madrid shot in for the star
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Arsenal had reportedly reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with representatives with Real Madrid star Federico Valverde before joining the LaLiga giants.
The 24-year-old is a star player at the Bernabeu under manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has won two LaLiga titles and the Champions League since coming from Uruguayan Penarol in 2016.
Things could have been very different, however, as former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger almost signed the midfielder before he went to Madrid, according to AS.
Arsenal were reportedly close to signing Federico Valverde before moving to Real Madrid
Valverde was recommended to former manager Arsene Wenger (pictured) by Francis Cagigao
The report suggested the club reached a verbal agreement with Valverde after he was scouted by Francis Cagigao, who recommended the player to Wenger.
The move was reportedly close when Valverde and his agent traveled to London in December 2014 so that he could spend time near Arsenal’s training ground, where he was suggested to have trained with the Gunner’s first team.
However, the club decided to keep an offer on the table, which turned out to be a huge mistake as he starred in the South American U17 Championship in Paraguay not long after.
Valverde has become a star midfielder for Real Madrid and Uruguay
During the match, Valverde scored seven times and that sparked interest from Madrid.
The Gunners tried to sign the midfielder with a £2.7million offer but it came too late as he was already convinced to move to Spain because of the Premier League.
Since joining Madrid, the 24-year-old has scored 10 goals in 157 appearances for the club and has become one of the top talents in Europe.