Federico Valverde lifted the Champions League trophy with Real Madrid back in May - but the Uruguayan playmaker's career almost took a very different path.
Valverde has made a big impact since his arrival at the Bernabeu back in 2016 and has gone on to establish himself as one of Europe's top midfielders.
The 24-year-old featured in all but two of Real Madrid's Champions League matches last term as the Spanish giants clinched an unprecedented 14th European crown under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti. However, Valverde was heavily courted by Arsenal at a very young age - and he was even on the cusp of joining the Premier League giants after 'shaking hands' on a switch.
