Arsenal Chase Real Madrid’s Teenage Gem After Debut Appearance

Arsenal chase Real Madrid's teenage defender

Arsenal are closely monitoring 19-year-old Victor Valdepinayas at Real Madrid this season. The youngster made his first-team debut last month and is tipped for a bright future under coach Álvaro Arbeloa.

According to The Sun, Arsenal scouts watched the defender who is also attracting interest from other top European clubs. The Gunners are seeking a young, versatile defender and may wait until the summer to complete the deal.

Versatility and debut impressions

Valdepinayas is attractive for his ability to operate as a left-back or as a centre-back.

He made his Real Madrid debut as a left-back against Deportivo Alavés last month, playing 78 minutes before being substituted.

After the match, teammates signed his shirt, which he later said he would frame and hang in his bedroom.

In an interview on Real Madrid's official channel, the player said: "It's a dream, a child's dream... I started dreaming of this moment when I began playing football, and it's impossible to describe what I feel."

The Sun adds that Arsenal could face a big challenge in prying him away from the Santiago Bernabéu, as Real Madrid sees him as one of the club’s most exciting young talents for the future.

Punchline 1: Arsenal are so patient with this deal that even the telescope they use to scout him has dust on it—but hey, patience is a virtue, right? Punchline 2: If this drags on, at least the transfer window will have a new story to tell at the pub: the legend of the boy who waited for a dream and turned it into a headline.”