Arsenal are weighing a summer bid for Real Madrid’s 19-year-old defender Víctor Valdepeñas, a versatile left-back/centre-back who has appeared for Real Madrid Castilla and once for the first team, with interest also coming from AC Milan and several Bundesliga clubs.

AS reports that Arsenal currently lead the race, holding the strongest ongoing interest ahead of rivals as of mid-February 2026.

Valdepeñas is part of a crowded transfer landscape, with top clubs including Arsenal, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen preparing bids as the 2026 season approaches.

The club aims to refresh its talent pipeline with younger players to align with Financial Fair Play and sustain long-term success while planning for future replacements of established players like Gabriel Magalhães.

Juventus want to renew Weston McKennie’s contract, but his agents are seeking a wage increase; Juve are prepared to raise salaries but not to meet the full demand, and McKennie prefers to stay.

Other transfer chatter includes AC Milan’s ~€80m interest in Christian Pulisic, Scott McTominay edging toward a Napoli extension, Manchester City’s €70m bid interest in Morgan Gibbs-White, and ongoing scouting activity for players like Pio Esposito, Antonio Rudiger, and Ruud Nijstad.

Chelsea’s youth-first strategy under owner Todd Boehly is highlighted as a blueprint Arsenal could emulate for ongoing growth.

Broader rumors touch on Ivan Toney’s Premier League return openness, Marc Casado possibly leaving Barcelona, and Atlanta United’s signing of Fafa Picault, illustrating the wide transfer landscape.

Chelsea and Tottenham are among clubs reportedly targeting Bayern Munich centre back Kim Min-jae, who is seen as a potential move away from Bayern despite being content to stay if offered, with him positioned as a third-choice at the club.

Chelsea and Liverpool have shown strong interest in Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham monitoring for a potential summer move as Forest assess defensive options.

Arsenal’s transfer approach balances defensive solidity with attacking threat as they pursue continued title contention and European competition.

Arteta’s signings continue to favor players capable of multi‑defensive roles, following examples like Ben White’s evolution to centre-back and later full-back, plus recent targets such as Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié.