Arsenal want to sign this 19-year-old centre-back
According to a report by ESPN Deportes, Arsenal have added Victor Valdepenas to a growing shortlist as the north Londoners plan ahead and look to strengthen their defensive options with young talent who can develop into the side over time.
The Gunners already boast depth at centre-back, yet they still look two or three seasons down the line, so attention turns to players who can learn, settle in, and step up without forcing rushed choices later.
Because of that, Arsenal have started paying closer attention to Valdepenas, mainly because he combines youth, steady defending, and elite training at Real Madrid, a mix that always attracts interest across Europe. His recent senior debut has also lifted his profile, since first-team minutes often change how clubs view a young player’s readiness.
Meanwhile, interest stretches beyond north London. Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund continue to monitor the 19-year-old, and both clubs rate defenders who read danger early and stay comfortable on the ball. Still, no formal offers have come, and that point matters, because it suggests clubs remain in observation mode rather than pushing hard right now. At the same time, Valdepenas appears content, with reports indicating he wants to stay at Real Madrid and keep building his career there.
Arsenal want to sign Victor Valdepenas
His background helps explain the growing attention. Born in Madrid, Valdepenas came through youth sides at Villa Rosa, Rayo Vallecano, and CD Leganes before earning a place in the Real Madrid academy, where he refined his positioning and decision-making against top-level peers. Then, over the weekend, Xabi Alonso handed him his senior debut against Deportivo Alaves, a step that often signals real trust in a young defender. As a result, scouts now view him differently because opportunities at that level rarely come without strong belief.
From Arsenal’s side, the link makes sense. Mikel Arteta values defenders who stay calm under pressure, move the ball cleanly, and hold their shape, and Valdepenas fits that description on paper. The club have also followed several young talents across Europe, including Oskar Pietuszewski in attack, which points to a broader plan focused on steady renewal rather than short-term fixes.
Even so, a deal would prove difficult. Competition from Germany complicates matters, while the player’s desire to remain in Madrid stands as a clear obstacle. For that reason, Arsenal may need patience, careful timing, and a convincing pathway if talks ever progress. In the end, the interest reflects long-term thinking more than immediate action, while still showing how closely the Gunners guard the future of their defence.