Arsenal Eye Real Madrid's Rising Star: Will Victor Valdepenas Move Change the Defensie Equation?
28 January 2026
Arsenal eye Real Madrid defender to bolster the backline
Arsenal have shown a strong interest in signing the young Real Madrid defender Victor Valdepenas ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to CaughtOffside, the Gunners aim to strengthen their defense during the window, with the promising Spaniard topping their list of defensive targets.
The report notes that bringing in a new centre-back could complicate matters for a promising Arsenal youngster who has struggled to win regular minutes.
With Arsenal's crowded fixture schedule, Arteta believes adding another defender is necessary to share the workload and ease the strain on the back line.
Valdepenas, 19, is reportedly under a release clause of around £43 million in his Madrid contract after making his La Liga debut this season.
The piece also suggests that his current prominent role at Real Madrid could push him to seek more playing time, a move Arteta hopes to exploit to convince the teenager to move to the Emirates and try the Premier League.
What could a move mean for Arsenal and Real Madrid
The article notes that linking up with Arsenal would offer Valdepenas a new challenge in England and give Arteta another option to rotate the defense during a congested schedule.
As for the broader context, the report includes references to recent European fixtures involving Benfica vs Real Madrid and Arsenal vs Kaïrat Almaty, framing the wider reshuffle in continental competition.
