Arsenal have missed out on a few of footballs greatest abilities previously with close to miss transfers and Federico Valverde added his identify to that listing this week.
Valverde Nearly Joined Arsenal
The Gunners have missed out on numerous superstars previously with offers for the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic slipping away whereas Arsenal seemed to make a transfer.
Federico Valverde added his identify to the listing of what might have been for Arsenal this week, as he revealed in an interview with Marca that at 16-years-old he had all however confirmed a deal to North London.
“I used to be 16. I mentioned: ‘That’s it. This [Arsenal] is my membership. I’m going to develop right here.’ In Uruguay, the Premier League was watched loads. I imagined a future there,” Valverde mentioned.
🗣️ Fede Valverde: “Arsenal trials? I used to be 16 years outdated. I mentioned: ‘That’s it. That is my membership. I’m going to develop up right here.’
In Uruguay, individuals seemed loads on the Premier League. I imagined a future there.” [Universo Valdano] pic.twitter.com/vxirkTpcA5
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) November 18, 2024
Valverde got here all the way in which from Uruguay for a trial with the Gunners and regardless of solely taking part in in a couple of coaching periods, the midfielder nonetheless met a number of the membership’s greatest stars on the time.
“I loved it and I skilled with spectacular gamers. I don’t know if he’ll bear in mind me, however Dibu [Emi Martinez] was one of many ones who helped me essentially the most in all the things, together with Bellerin, Alexis and Cazorla . I didn’t know English and so they needed to clarify all of the work to me.”
Not signing for Arsenal at 16 definitely didn’t decelerate Valverde’s profession, as ten years on the midfielder is taking part in for Actual Madrid as probably the most extremely rated gamers on the planet.
Valverde completed seventeenth within the Ballon D’Or rankings this 12 months after successful his second Champions League in 2024. The 26-year-old has additionally gained three La Liga titles, one Copa Del Rey and a Membership World Cup.
🚨🚨| OFFICIAL: Federico Valverde has completed seventeenth within the Ballon d’Or rankings. #BallonDor pic.twitter.com/GL80GMnvb5
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 28, 2024
The Uruguayan is now valued at over £100m and he ranks as among the finest gamers Arsenal have ever missed out on within the switch market.