Real Madrid face fight to keep highly rated Victor Valdepenas as Arsenal eye summer raid

Real Madrid are facing a serious fight to keep hold of highly rated academy talent Victor Valdepenas as European giants plot a summer raid.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Premier League giants Arsenal are monitoring the situation of the talented teenager ahead of a potential move next summer.

Madrid are well aware that when a young player from their renowned academy shows promise, attention from across Europe soon follows.

Valdepenas is the latest name to attract interest from European clubs, but Los Blancos have no plans of cashing in on the talented centre-back.

The versatile defender is naturally a centre-back but can also play at left back. He made his debut for the senior team back in December last year, coming on for the final 12 minutes of a 2-1 win against Alaves.

Valdepenas is highly rated by the Madrid hierarchy, and they plan to give him a pathway into the first team, particularly with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba likely to leave the club this summer.

Both veterans will be out of contract at the end of the season and are likely to move on, as there have been no talks over a new deal.

Madrid will naturally enter the market for defensive reinforcements and have already added a few high-profile names to their extensive shortlist.

They were eyeing a move for former Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, but missed out as Manchester City snapped him up in a £20 million deal.

Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate has also been discussed, but the Spanish giants decided against making a move for the France international.

Another name that has been mentioned is Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, with Madrid on the market for bargain deals. Despite their ongoing search, Valdepenas is firmly in the club’s plans.

The 19-year-old will likely head out on loan to continue his development, but Madrid are prepared to rebuff any approach from Arsenal in the summer.

Valdepenas still has three and a half years left on his contract with Madrid, so they’re under no immediate pressure to cash in on the highly rated defender.