Spain international Alvaro Arbeloa is eyeing a move to Major League Soccer as he approaches the end of his long, distinguished career at Real Madrid, reports FutbolMLS.com.
The 32-year-old fullback apparently has one year left on his current contract with Los Merengues and is leaning towards a move to North America when it runs out – and could even leave sooner than that, as he contemplates the possibility of a limited role under new manager Rafa Benitez.
“Sources close to the Salamanca-born player say that Arbeloa has at least two offers from teams from the United States for a change of scenery this summer,” says the report.
“The circumstances seemed to favor that decision, given that Madrid has just signed the Brazilian Danilo, who plays in the same position, and with Dani Carvajal in charge of guarding the Merengues' right flank with a view to next season.”
The 2010 World Cup veteran didn't make his MLS move during the summer transfer window, which closed on this side of the Atlantic last week, as he seeks a fresh start in the La Liga season ahead.
But if his playing time is scarce this fall, he may look to make his exit ahead of schedule over the winter, with Madrid likely to allow him to leave without a transfer fee in recognition of his long service to the Spanish superclub.
“[Arbeloa] wants to say goodbye to the club he loves by winning a title and knows that Rafa Benitez, with whom he previously worked in Liverpool, will give him his chance to get in the team, even acting as a left back, an assignment in which the new Merengues coach has already used him,” added the FutbolMLS.com report.
“In addition, Arbeloa is one of the players most appreciated by Madrid fans, who would not want him to leave the club by the back door. He wants to make it big, and is confident that with Benitez, the team will achieve important things.”
