An incredible transfer opportunity has presented itself to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal
Arsenal could enjoy a perfect start to the summer transfer window by landing Real Madrid defender Victor Valdepenas. The 19-year-old sensation has a £43million release clause in his contract and acting quickly would enable the Gunners to pull off a steal for one of Los Blancos’ brightest talents.
Mikel Arteta’s first Premier League title success has been won off the back of his team’s defensive efforts. For all the question marks surrounding Arsenal’s attacking fluidity, there is no doubting the Spaniard’s ability to coach defensive tactics, nor his eye for talented defenders.
Cristhian Mosquera’s £13m transfer was one of the bargains of last summer, with the former Valencia man making 33 appearances so far in his first year in England. While Valdepenas’ price-tag is closer to the sum we generally see spent on defensive talents, it still represents a major coup if Arsenal manage to bring him in.
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The left-back, who can play across the back-line, came through the Madrid academy and is regarded as one of their best defensive talents. He made his first team debut under Xabi Alonso in December against Alaves, marking his only senior appearance to date. Since then, he has mainly been on the fringes of the first team due to his age and has starred for the reserves on his way to winning the UEFA Youth League.
The Gunners are certainly already aware of his vast talent, having heavily scouted him for much of this season, and football.london understands Valdepenas is a key name of interest ahead of the summer transfer window. While Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta shortlisted him as a defensive target internally, they are yet to make a formal offer.
The teenager is left-footed and, standing at 6ft 2in, has been described as a monster and a physical beast by scouts. That, along with his composure on the ball and technical level, makes him the perfect Arteta defender.
Valdepenas’ versatility in being able to play left-back, centre-back and left wing-back means he is a rare profile of player, similar to Riccardo Calafiori. Arsenal are certainly already well-stocked in that position with Piero Hincapie, Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly all able to play there.
But how highly Gunners decision-makers seem to rate him is an indication of just how talented the youngster is. And any opportunity to strengthen the defence going into next season should not be overlooked, given their injury woes.
Arsenal were even interested in signing Valdepenas in January, shortly after Real Madrid had tied him down with a new deal, which runs until June 2029. Other clubs have since taken notice of this bargain release clause and the Gunners are expected to face competition for his signature this summer.
Eintracht Frankfurt are desperate to sign him according to Sky Sport Germany, who report that the Bundesliga side have shown concrete interest. The likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have also been linked with a move.
But, given Arsenal’s current European status, the player would likely need little convincing to choose north London over Germany.
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