Why Fabregas turned down Real Madrid

Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he turned down a move to Real Madrid while he was playing for Arsenal early on in his career.

“They called me more than once or twice,” Cesc Fabregas told AS. “The first time I was very young. I was 18 and they offered me a big salary, but I felt like I belonged at Arsenal.

“Wenger had bet the farm on me. I couldn’t leave. In any case, I’ll always be grateful to Madrid for the way they treated me.

“When I was 23 I had a serious calf injury and they sent me a really nice message.

“I’m grateful for their interest in me but I always dreamed of playing for Barcelona and if I felt that way it was for a reason. It all worked out pretty well for me.”

Fabregas later went on to play for Barcelona where he did well for himself and won multiple trophies. He however, opted to leave the club and with Arsenal choosing not to buy him, Chelsea swooped in on him.

Currently Fabregas is at AS Monaco and the midfielder is unlikely to join another big club at this stage of his career.