Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has admitted he spent time training with Arsenal in the past, before he joined his current club.

EIBAR, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 09: Federico Valverde of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Liga match between SD Eibar SAD and Real Madrid CF at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on November 09, 2019, in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
EIBAR, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 09: Federico Valverde of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Liga match between SD Eibar SAD and Real Madrid CF at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on November 09, 2019, in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

After moving to Real Madrid back in 2016, Valverde has finally started to break into the first team over the last season or so. The midfielder has made 10 appearances for Real this campaign, and he scored the first goal of his spell with the senior side in his latest showing against Eibar.

Speaking to Real Madrid TV (via El País), Valverde suggested things could have gone in a different direction a few years ago though. The Uruguayan admits Arsenal came in for him during his time with Peñarol, and he trained with the club for a short period.

“Arsenal asked about me when I was with Peñarol, and I travelled to practice with them,” Valverde said. “It was very brief. Sharing training with Alexis Sánchez and that he came to help me with the language was something very nice.”

In July 2016, Valverde joined Real Madrid instead. He spent his first season playing for their B team, Real Madrid Castilla, before going on loan to Deportivo La Coruña the following year. Since then, he’s made 35 appearances for his parent club.

Given how Valverde is catching the eye with Real and playing pretty much every single game with Uruguay over the international breaks, there must be a bit of regret from Arsenal’s side that they didn’t sign the 21-year-old up when they had the chance.