Standout Arsenal player in 2024 was close to joining Real Madrid

Real Madrid progressed to the Champions League semifinal as they beat English opposition Manchester City on penalties last night. It was a cagey affair throughout the entire two legs, meaning Real Madrid fans had little time to focus on the other match of the night, Bayern Munich vs Arsenal.

The fate of that match was settled without extra time, meaning Real Madrid will face Bayern Munich. It would have been interesting to face this new-look Arsenal team under Mikel Arteta and captained by former Real Madrid player Martin Odegaard but it wasn't to be for them.

One player who has been crucial to Arsenal this season, particularly since the turn of 2024, is Kai Havertz. The Germany international who was signed by Chelsea had a slow start to his new North London surroundings but since the turn of the calendar year, he has justified his price tag since taking on the centre forward position.

However, it has been revealed that Kai Havertz' career could have taken on a different shape...

Standout Arsenal player in 2024 was close to joining Real Madrid

According to AS, Kai Havertz was very close to signing for Real Madrid before the COVID-19 outbreak put a halt on proceedings. It is revealed, from Fernando Carro (the CEO of Havertz' former club Bayer Leverkusen), that Havertz was close to signing for Real Madrid.

In his own words, Carro said: "There was a possibility with Madrid before the coronavirus, but the meeting was cancelled a week before because confinement began,"

Who knows what could've happened if Kai Havertz signed for Bayer Leverkusen? Around that time, he was tipped to become one of the best players in the world. It is safe to say that he has not undergone that trajectory, despite holding his own and proving to be a valuable member of Arsenal's squad recently.

Instead of joining Real Madrid, Kai Havertz instead signed for Chelsea. During this time, he was one of their best players and he scored in the UEFA Champions League final for them, writing himself into their history books. However, it must be said that Havertz played for Chelsea during one of their worst periods in the 21st century, so he is better off with Arsenal.

Like Havertz, Real Madrid are now targeting a new Bayer Leverkusen breakthrough German. They would like to sign Florian Wirtz and they are expected to lock horns with El Clasico rivals Barcelona to sign him for an incredible fee of €150m.

Do you think Real Madrid will regret not signing Kai Havertz?