FEDERICO VALVERDE’S representatives had reportedly “shook hands” on a move to Arsenal before Real Madrid swooped for him.
The Uruguay international, 24, is now one of the main men under Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu.
He has won LaLiga twice and the Champions League since his arrival from Penarol in 2016.
However, a fresh report has claimed that Arsene Wenger almost came close to bringing him to the Emirates.
AS says that Valverde had “reached a verbal agreement” with Arsenal when he was still at Penarol.
Wenger’s right-hand man Francis Cagigao had scouted the South American, and knowing how the Gunners needed to strengthen their midfield, recommended the ace to Wenger.
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In fact, Cagigao watched him several times and allegedly convinced the player, his family and his agent that a move to Arsenal was the best one for him.
This report also adds that Valverde and his agent actually flew to London in December 2014 to spend six days at Sopwell House Hotel, which is near Arsenal’s Training Centre.
He trained with the first-team but the North London club decided to wait to table an offer.
And that proved to be a huge error as his mind was changed after he starred in the South American U17 Championship in Paraguay a couple of months later.
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He scored seven goals at the tournament – with his exploits catching the eye of Real Madrid.
Arsenal had tabled an offer of £2.7million for the ace – but it was too little too late.
Madrid had already made their move and they soon convinced the then teen star to join them instead of heading to the Premier League.
He has gone on to score 10 times in 157 games for the club in all competitions.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
