Arsenal could face a race against time to sign long-standing target Victor Valdepenas because Eintracht Frankfurt are stepping up their pursuit of the Real Madrid star.
The 19-year-old is one of the biggest prospects in Los Blancos’ youth setup. A versatile defender who can play at centre-back and left-back, Valdepenas was handed his senior debut by Xabi Alonso in January.
His performance was a mixed bag. While his overall play was very good, he did make a mistake. Alonso pointed this out after the game, but he was very pleased with the youngster’s debut.
However, since the Spaniard’s sacking in January, the teenager has been nowhere to be found. He has not made a single matchday squad under Alvaro Arbeloa, despite the former Castilla manager’s trust in youth.
As a result, transfer speculation surrounding Valdepenas has increased. Like so many talents before him, the Spanish youth international could leave Real Madrid in search of regular first-team game time this summer.
Arsenal face Valdepenas threat
The defender certainly has no shortage of suitors. Various clubs have been following his development for some time. Arsenal, for example, have been monitoring him for at least a year.
It is understood that they are huge fans of the youngster and that there is a genuine interest in signing him. However, Valdepenas also has other, potentially more attractive options.
Various Bundesliga clubs are also keeping tabs on him, and they would be able to offer him regular minutes, perhaps more so than star-studded Arsenal. They could also be willing to make major concessions to Real Madrid to sweeten the deal.
Los Blancos’ policy when it comes to selling talent is simple: they won’t stand in their way in search of senior football, but they want to retain a measure of control over their future.
This often manifests itself in the inclusion of sell-on and buy-back clauses into contracts, as seen with Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramon at Como and Chema Andres at VfB Stuttgart. This would also be Real Madrid’s preferred course of action for Valdepenas.
According to BILD, Eintracht Frankfurt are seriously interested in signing the Real Madrid “gem.” Sporting director Markus Krosche is a big admirer of the versatile defender and has already opened talks with the player’s representatives.
Frankfurt are planning for the future. Germany international Nnamdi Collins is attracting Premier League attention and could be sold. Valdepenas is seen as a potential replacement, despite playing on the opposite side of the defence.
Real Madrid are said to be asking for around €5 million to sell the young defender, which is a price that most clubs would be able to afford. Previously, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan also showed an interest.
Frankfurt, though, appear to be pushing strongly for his signature. Arsenal need to make a decision on whether or not to pursue Valdepenas or risk missing out on him.
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