Premier League leaders Arsenal are reportedly keeping a close watch on the progress of Real Madrid's teenage defender Victor Valdepenas, as interest from across Europe begins to mount.
Who is Victor 'Valde' Valdepenas?
According to reports from Spain, the Gunners are 'closely monitoring' the 19-year-old, who is also attracting attention from German giants Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund. Valdepenas, commonly known as Valde, is a product of the famed Real Madrid academy, having rejoined the club in 2022 after a short spell with Leganes' youth setup.
The left-footed teenager has become a standout performer for Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team managed by Alvaro Arbeloa. His versatility, being comfortable at both centre-back and left-back, has proven a major asset. This season, he has accumulated 888 minutes for Castilla, who currently sit fourth in the Primera Federacion.
A Dream La Liga Debut
Valdepenas' rapid development was rewarded by first-team manager Xabi Alonso on Sunday, December 14th, 2025. Alonso handed the youngster his senior debut, starting him in a La Liga match against Alaves. Despite a mistake that contributed to Alaves' equaliser in an eventual 2-1 win for Madrid, the Spain Under-19 international earned praise from his coach for a steady performance.
'Valde made his debut and I congratulate him for that,' Alonso said post-match. 'And I congratulate him not only for his debut, but also for the match he played. He competed well and was very steady.' Valdepenas retained his place in the squad for the subsequent Copa del Rey last-16 tie against Talavera.
The defender, whose mother was pictured watching proudly from the stands, admitted to nerves. 'I was nervous, I’m not going to lie,' he said. 'But my team-mates reassured me on the pitch and I thank them for that.' He is said to be fully focused on his development at the Bernabeu for now.
Summer Transfer Interest Builds
However, his progress has not gone unnoticed. ESPN reports that while Madrid's hierarchy have received no formal bids, they are bracing for offers next summer. Arsenal's interest is said to be serious, placing them alongside the Bundesliga clubs as keen observers.
The key factor in any potential move could be Valdepenas' pathway to regular first-team football at the Bernabeu. If that path appears blocked, the situation may change. The defender is under contract with Real Madrid until June 2029, giving the Spanish club a strong negotiating position.
For Arsenal, monitoring a talented, versatile, and left-footed defender aligns with their recruitment strategy of identifying top young prospects. The coming months will reveal if their interest materialises into a concrete bid for one of Spain's most promising defensive talents.
