Arsenal learn price to sign Real Madrid star after transfer enquiries | Football

Arsenal have discovered what it would take to sign Victor Valdepenas after Real Madrid inserted a new release clause in the young defender’s contract at the Bernabeu.

Valdepenas, also affectionately known as Valde, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent months and is considered one of the shining lights of Madrid’s academy having returned to the club in 2022.

The 19-year-old’s versatility has proven a valuable asset for Madrid’s reserve side this season, with the youngster comfortable operating at both centre-back and left-back. He has also been known to fill in as a makeshift midfielder.

A near ever-present for Real Madrid Castilla this term, Valdepenas has played a total of 888 minutes for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, who sit fourth in the Primera Federacion table.

But last weekend, Valdepenas made his first-team breakthrough for Los Blancos as Xabi Alonso rewarded the teenager’s excellent form with a place in his starting XI to take on Alaves in La Liga.

Although his error led to Alaves’ equaliser in Madrid’s 2-1 victory, Valdepenas received glowing praise for his performance and he retained his place in Alonso’s squad to face Talavera in the Copa del Rey.

However, while Valdepenas is highly thought of at Madrid, the club are growing anxious over interest from overseas, with Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen said to be ‘closely monitoring’ the Spain Under-19 international.

Spanish newspaper AS claim Madrid’s hierarchy have responded by rewarding Valdepenas with a significant pay rise as ‘a recognition of his performance’ and ‘a way to secure his future’.

The new deal ‘reaffirms to Madrid’s commitment’ to Valdepenas and also includes an increased release clause – which now stands at over €50million (£44m).

The length of Valdepenas’ contract has not been extended at this stage given he was handed a renewal – that runs through to June 2029 – when he turned 18 last season.

It’s claimed an agreement was struck before Alonso named Valdepenas in his squads to face Manchester City and Alaves in the Champions League and La Liga respectively.

The report describes the development as ‘the icing on the cake’ of a ‘magical week’ for the former Rayo Vallecano and Leganes youth player.

Valde made his debut and I congratulate him for that,’ Madrid head coach Alonso said of the teen’s promising senior debut against Alaves.

‘And I congratulate him not only for his debut, but also for the match he played.

‘He competed well and was very steady in his performance.’

Valdepanas, whose mother was pictured proudly watching on from the stands, thanked his team-mates for helping put him at ease in the match.

‘My debut? 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.’

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