Real Betis winger Joaquin Sanchez has admitted he was very close to signing for Real Madrid instead of Valencia back in 2006.
After six seasons in the Betis first-team Joaquin eventually moved to Valencia in a €25m deal after Madrid saw their approach rejected.
“I wanted to sign for Real Madrid and it was very close,” Joaquin – who would also play for Malaga and Fiorentina before returning to Betis in 2015 – told Onda Cero, as cited by Marca.
“I was ready to sign my contract and undergo medical tests, they wanted me and I wanted them but it was not to bed.
“The Betis president (Manuel Ruiz de) Lopera knew this is what I wanted because I made it clear to him, this would be the prime opportunity for me and my career.
“But he wanted a massive sum of money and when we spoke to Florentino (Perez, Real Madrid president) he said the demands were too high and it could not happen.”
