Arsenal Circle Real Madrid Prospect Valdepenas; Zinchenko Ajax Deal Hanging in Balance

Transfer insider Ben Jacobs has disclosed that Arsenal are eyeing a swoop for Real Madrid's Victor Valdepenas, with the Gunners contemplating a bid for the 19-year-old left-footed centre-back in 2026.

The teenager has been on Arsenal's radar for some time, and whilst no formal offer has landed on the Spanish giants' desk just yet, internal deliberations have begun at the North London club regarding a potential approach.

Arsenal's interest comes at a time when the club appears well-stocked in the transfer department following their summer spending spree of over £250m. A January move looks unlikely, though the Gunners continue to monitor Valdepenas's development closely.

Valdepenas, who made his senior bow for Real Madrid in December during a La Liga encounter with Alaves, carries a reported €50m (£43m) release clause in his current contract.

The Gunners' recruitment focus on future prospects comes as they maintain their stranglehold atop the Premier League standings, sitting four points clear of Manchester City—though Pep Guardiola's outfit have a game in hand. In the Champions League, Arsenal have stormed to the summit of the league phase with a pristine seven wins from seven outings.

Their latest triumph saw them dispatch Inter 3-1 at the San Siro on Tuesday evening, with Gabriel Jesus netting twice and Viktor Gyokeres adding his third continental goal of the campaign. That victory sets up a mouthwatering Premier League clash against Manchester United this Sunday.

Meanwhile, the wheels appear to have come off Oleksandr Zinchenko's anticipated move to Ajax. Though transfer guru Fabrizio Romano had given the green light on the Ukraine international's switch, the deal has since hit the buffers.

Ajax interim boss Fred Grim has nevertheless remained hopeful, expressing confidence that the Zinchenko signing "will take shape soon" and confirming the Dutch club's continued interest. "We're very busy strengthening our squad," Grim explained. "We're not in a position to make a big impact at the beginning of January. You're dependent on the players' choices. It will have to be finalised in the coming week. In my opinion, there are still some possibilities then."