Arsenal have been tracking a Real Madrid teenager for some time and could move for the starlet in the closing days of the January transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks to finalise his squad
08:46, 30 Jan 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta has hinted at more signings
Mikel Arteta appears increasingly likely to trust his current squad for the remainder of 2025/26 after a fairly quiet month in the red corner of north London, with the Gunners doing most of their business on the field.
Arsenal not only lead the Premier League table by four points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, but also secured their spot in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night with a commanding 3-2 victory over Kairat. Maintaining an unbeaten record in European competition this season, Arsenal topped the league phase of the competition and will progress directly to the knockout rounds.
Speculation continues to swirl regarding potential arrivals and departures ahead of Monday's deadline. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at some of the latest transfer gossip surrounding Arsenal....
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - DECEMBER 14: Victor Valdepenas of Real Madrid in action during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Mendizorroza on December 14, 2025 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
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Victor Valdepenas is a target for Arsenal(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Getty Images)
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Arsenal eye coveted Real Madrid starlet
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal currently have Real Madrid's Victor Valdepenas in their sights. The Gunners are reportedly monitoring the 19-year-old for some time, watching him before his senior debut last month.
While the Spaniard's natural position is centre-back, Valdepenas can also slot in at left-back - providing both flexibility and talent.
After moving through the youth academies of Villa Rosa, Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid and Leganes, the defender - who has featured for his country at Under-19 level - signed his first professional deal with Los Blancos in 2024.
He has subsequently progressed from the C-team through to Alvaro Arbeloa's senior squad, making his La Liga bow against Alaves in December.
Tied down until 2029, Real Madrid would be under no pressure to offload, and Arsenal reportedly view Valdepenas as more of a summer prospect rather than a January window pursuit.
But he is said to have a release clause in his contract of around £44m, following a contract renewal, which the Gunners could trigger. Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are also believed to be monitoring the situation at present.
Oleksandr Zinchenko future decided
Nottingham Forest FC defender Oleksandr Zinchenko plays during the match between FC Utrecht and Nottingham Forest FC at the Stadium de Galgenwaard for the Europa League - League phase - Matchday 6 of the 2025-2026 season in Utrecht, Netherlands, on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Marcel van Dorst/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to join Ajax(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
According to Telegraaf, Arsenal are set to allow Oleksandr Zinchenko to join Ajax in a transfer valued at £1.3million before deadline day.
That sum could increase depending on whether the Eredivisie club secure Champions League qualification for 2026/27.
Arsenal are expected to cover the 29-year-old's wages until the summer, and reports suggest the left-back will touch down in Amsterdam for a medical on Friday.
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This follows Arsenal's decision to loan the Ukrainian to Nottingham Forest for the campaign last summer, which has proved to be a fruitless arrangement.
Zinchenko has featured in only five Premier League matches for the Tricky Trees, plus three more in the Europa League.