In an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena COPE, new West Ham United signing Alvaro Arbeloa admitted that he thought he was on his way to Milan this summer. The 33-year-old declared that; “I was very close to Milan and negotiations were at an advanced stage but everything became complicated when the Chinese arrived and in the end, I preferred to look elsewhere”.
 

He continued by explaining his feelings about leaving Real Madrid after seven years; “I wanted to be 100% certain about my next move because leaving a club like Real is difficult. It was like leaving paradise to find another destination on earth but West Ham, the club, the coach and the city of London convinced me. I had other offers from Spain but I could only ever wear the colours of Real”.


S.M