{"id":471972,"date":"2026-02-16T12:52:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/471972\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T12:52:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:52:09","slug":"transfer-rumors-news-arsenal-eye-madrid-teen-valdepenas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/471972\/","title":{"rendered":"Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal eye Madrid teen Valdepe\u00f1as"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Feb 16, 2026, 05:43 AM ET<\/p>\n<p><a data-clubhouse-guid=\"66434654-a8ba-a04c-98e5-6bbd0dbbb780\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=86\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Real Madrid<\/a>&#8216;s <a data-player-guid=\"60cbfa9f-a4c3-34cb-ba66-8cf446f301db\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/401558\/victor-valdepenas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">V\u00edctor Valdepe\u00f1as<\/a> is among <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"feb44e87-58fa-9597-2691-b3c32768ebe4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=359\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arsenal<\/a>&#8216;s favored options to strengthen their defense, while <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"c43a00b9-2826-72b3-77a0-62730abc936e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=363\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chelsea<\/a> and <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"f987a4b2-f3f9-e7f6-eb7d-eda43893be5a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=367\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> have an interest in signing <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"25b5e432-d3d2-939f-f73b-6e531a6fbd91\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=132\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bayern Munich<\/a> center back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/157688\/kim-min-jae\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kim Min-jae<\/a>, and <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"87fe4844-a7cf-c88e-2ebe-aeb57325e990\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=111\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Juventus<\/a> want to renew <a data-player-guid=\"80f154c0-ef1f-6615-9238-d22a3d6cd0e1\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/256715\/weston-mckennie\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Weston McKennie<\/a>&#8216;s contract but won&#8217;t double his wages.<\/p>\n<p>Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/transfers-news-and-features\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Transfers home page<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/story\/_\/id\/47444534\/january-transfer-window-grading-big-signings-mens-soccer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Men&#8217;s winter grades<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/story\/_\/id\/47444650\/january-transfer-window-grading-big-signings-womens-soccer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Women&#8217;s grades<\/a><\/p>\n<p>TRENDING RUMORS<img class=\" lazyload lazyload\" data-image-container=\".inline-photo\" height=\"320\" width=\"570\"\/>Real Madrid defender Victor\u00a0Valdepe\u00f1as, left, has caught the eye.\u00a0Jose Breton\/Pics Action\/NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"66434654-a8ba-a04c-98e5-6bbd0dbbb780\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=86\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Real Madrid<\/a>&#8216;s <a data-player-guid=\"60cbfa9f-a4c3-34cb-ba66-8cf446f301db\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/401558\/victor-valdepenas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">V\u00edctor Valdepe\u00f1as<\/a> is among <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"feb44e87-58fa-9597-2691-b3c32768ebe4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=359\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Arsenal<\/a>&#8216;s favored options as Mikel Arteta aims to further reinforce his back line in the summer transfer window, as reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/as.com\/futbol\/mas_futbol\/batalla-por-valdepenas-f202602-n\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">AS<\/a>. Even so, the Gunners will face competition to land the 19-year-old &#8212; who plays at either left back or center back for the Castilla side and has made one appearance at senior level &#8212; with several other top clubs in Europe interested. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"7ca4fb35-d78e-49f0-67fe-7fa95588e28d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=103\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">AC Milan<\/a> have a longstanding desire to sign him, while the Spain U19 international has also caught the eye of clubs in the <a data-league-guid=\"30244926-00c4-3f69-8946-f8421c97ff71\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/league\/_\/name\/GER.1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">German Bundesliga<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"c43a00b9-2826-72b3-77a0-62730abc936e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=363\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chelsea<\/a> and <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"f987a4b2-f3f9-e7f6-eb7d-eda43893be5a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=367\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> have an interest in signing <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"25b5e432-d3d2-939f-f73b-6e531a6fbd91\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=132\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bayern Munich<\/a> center back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/157688\/kim-min-jae\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kim Min-jae<\/a> and have him on their respective summer shortlists, reports Bild&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/cfbayerninsider.com\/2026\/02\/chelsea-tottenham-bayern-munich-kim-min-jae-transfer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Christian Falk<\/a>. Spurs&#8217; move would largely depend on who their next permanent manager will be, while the Blues have good options in defense already but want to add to Liam Rosenior&#8217;s squad after missing out on <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"a47fbcec-c948-cf4c-9e41-3dfa37588c9c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=364\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Liverpool<\/a>-bound <a data-player-guid=\"68807a0d-77ff-3875-b863-e06f4ae9b3f3\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/355980\/jeremy-jacquet\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">J\u00e9r\u00e9my Jacquet<\/a>. Kim, 29, is happy to stay at Bayern but is currently third choice behind <a data-player-guid=\"c3c378f1-f767-6cf5-1788-6b2d1e51a12a\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/222793\/dayot-upamecano\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dayot Upamecano<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"ea723a98-2bdb-e537-c5b4-c7c54e5d0ac7\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/188052\/jonathan-tah\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan Tah<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Editor&#8217;s Picks<\/p>\n<p>2 Related<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"87fe4844-a7cf-c88e-2ebe-aeb57325e990\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=111\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Juventus<\/a> would like to speed up the process of renewing <a data-player-guid=\"80f154c0-ef1f-6615-9238-d22a3d6cd0e1\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/256715\/weston-mckennie\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Weston McKennie<\/a>&#8216;s contract, but the USMNT midfielder&#8217;s agents have asked for his wages to be doubled, with his current earnings being between \u20ac2.5 million-\u20ac3 million per season, reports <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gazzetta.it\/Calcio\/Serie-A\/Juventus\/15-02-2026\/mckennie-juve-la-trattativa-per-il-rinnovo.shtml?refresh_ce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gazzetta dello Sport<\/a>. Juve are willing to offer the 27-year-old a pay rise, with his deal expiring in the summer, but not enough to reach his agent&#8217;s demands. Other European clubs have shown an interest in signing McKennie as a free agent, but he wants to stay with Juventus.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Chelsea and Liverpool have put in the most groundwork for a possible move to sign <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"ad9ef79b-ca27-077e-8a6f-335e0d220b27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=393\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nottingham Forest<\/a> center back <a data-player-guid=\"5c977ae8-5563-3690-bf31-2f007d216669\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/338894\/murillo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Murillo<\/a>, as reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teamtalk.com\/news\/liverpool-transfers-murillo-nottingham-forest-chelsea-triple-sale-sources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TEAMtalk<\/a>. Chelsea are ready to listen to offers for defensive trio <a data-player-guid=\"e13a5fa2-8024-2d97-4eae-500af54821fe\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/231198\/tosin-adarabioyo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tosin Adarabioyo<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"4b8a8e35-e16a-e02a-6046-ffd72482932e\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/282585\/benoit-badiashile\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Beno\u00eet Badiashile<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"fec8584e-817f-feef-6c91-e9d895706e20\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/227784\/trevoh-chalobah\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trevoh Chalobah<\/a>, while there is uncertainty around the futures of <a data-player-guid=\"ffcffb8d-afa2-bae4-621c-ee7296909896\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/251634\/ibrahima-konate\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ibrahima Konat\u00e9<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"0d029e41-3ff8-5297-93d6-228603fce1bf\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/102053\/joe-gomez\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Gomez<\/a> at Liverpool. Arsenal, <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"6ebc2fd0-35d3-733b-5666-b75035a3bce9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=360\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Manchester United<\/a> and Tottenham Hotspur have all extensively monitored Murillo amid an expectation that the 23-year-old <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"2a051c42-4444-8263-799a-6cdd866bd8f7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=205\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brazil<\/a> international will push for a summer move.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Bayern Munich are closely following <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"3f4b2640-8af5-9785-93d5-363cbdb5a2f6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=11420\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">RB Leipzig<\/a> winger <a data-player-guid=\"6065a5f6-fdeb-38d3-814e-9f80224542b7\" href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/402479\/yan-diomande\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Yan Diomande<\/a> and keen to remain informed on his situation, as manager Vincent Kompany likes the 19-year-old, says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LYkZfwi00Lg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Fabrizio Romano<\/a>. There will still be competition to sign the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"6fcf839e-eb1a-be06-675f-a22ee120dcdb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=4789\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ivory Coast<\/a> international as <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"79843c9e-0fe0-63b4-b591-9affc0dbd517\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/team?id=160\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Paris Saint-Germain<\/a> are monitoring him, while Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also sent scouts to watch him. Diomande has also been linked with Liverpool and recently said that clarified that they are his father&#8217;s favorite club.<\/p>\n<p>EXPERT TAKE<\/p>\n<p>ESPN&#8217;s Madrid correspondent Alex Kirkland looks at Real Madrid&#8217;s V\u00edctor Valdepe\u00f1as.<\/p>\n<p>It was a surprise when Valdepe\u00f1as made his Real Madrid debut earlier this season, but the young defender did well in the team&#8217;s 2-1 LaLiga win at Alav\u00e9s, even if then-coach Xabi Alonso singled him out &#8212; a little unfairly &#8212; for a mistake in Alav\u00e9s&#8217; equalizer. Otherwise, the teenager excelled, filling in capably and proving he&#8217;s a useful option at left back when \u00c1lvaro Carreras, Fran Garc\u00eda and Ferland Mendy are all unavailable.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, Valdepe\u00f1as has spent this season impressing with Madrid&#8217;s reserve team, Castilla, where he tends to play as center back alongside another highly-rated prospect, Joan Mart\u00ednez.<\/p>\n<p>The defender&#8217;s biggest asset is his pace: he&#8217;s been known to match Vinicius Junior in sprint tests in training. For months now there have been links with Arsenal and Bundesliga clubs in the Spanish press, and that&#8217;s no surprise: Madrid&#8217;s academy is a consistent source of top talent, even if that talent doesn&#8217;t always find its way into the first team. Just look at Nico Paz&#8217;s impact at Como, or Chema Andr\u00e9s&#8217; form with Stuttgart.<\/p>\n<p>Valdepe\u00f1as has a contract at Madrid until 2029, and his development between now and May will dictate whether Madrid see his future at the Bernab\u00e9u, or elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>OTHER RUMORS<img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>1:57<\/p>\n<p>How Antoine Semenyo has had a &#8216;flawless&#8217; transition to Man City<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Don Hutchison and Kieran Gibbs speak after Manchester City&#8217;s 2-0 win over Salford City in the FA Cup fourth round.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; AC Milan are open to offers in the region of around \u20ac80 million for USMNT winger Christian Pulisic amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.caughtoffside.com\/2026\/02\/15\/arsenal-man-united-want-christian-pulisic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Caught Offside<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Despite offers from the Premier League and Saudi Pro League, Scott McTominay&#8217;s priority is to stay at Napoli, with talks regarding a contract extension progressing well. (<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NicoSchira\/status\/2022952388899058081\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Nicolo Schira<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Manchester City are plotting a \u00a370 million summer move for Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who also continues to be subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.footballinsider247.com\/sources-man-city-told-70m-morgan-gibbs-white-offer-will-be-accepted\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Football Insider<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>All of ESPN. All in one place.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plus.espn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"imageLoaded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/r1531432_1296x729_16-9.jpg\" width=\"100%\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/plus.espn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sign Up Now<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Arsenal sent a scout to monitor Pio Esposito in Internazionale&#8217;s 3-2 win over Juventus, in which the 20-year-old scored. (<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NicoSchira\/status\/2023158099155304859\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Nicolo Schira<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Crystal Palace have all initiated discussions regarding a possible move for Real Madrid center back Antonio Rudiger. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.caughtoffside.com\/2026\/02\/16\/tottenham-defender-back-to-premier-league\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Caught Offside<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are ready to rival Barcelona for 18-year-old Twente center back Ruud Nijstad. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teamtalk.com\/news\/man-city-chelsea-making-strides-sign-dutch-prodigy-ruud-nijstad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TEAMtalk<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney has refused to rule out a return to the Premier League after turning down January offers in favor of staying in Saudi Arabia. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/news\/11095\/13507852\/ivan-toney-england-striker-leaves-door-open-for-premier-league-return-and-reveals-world-cup-hopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sky Sports<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Barcelona could let Marc Casado leave as the midfielder is &#8220;a victim of the competition&#8221; at the club. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sport.es\/es\/noticias\/barca\/casado-victima-competencia-126840563\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sport<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Atlanta United will sign 34-year-old winger Fafa Picault, who is a free agent and last played for Inter Miami. (<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/tombogert\/status\/2023070613254869469\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Tom Bogert<\/a>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Feb 16, 2026, 05:43 AM ET Real Madrid&#8216;s V\u00edctor Valdepe\u00f1as is among Arsenal&#8216;s favored options to strengthen their&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":471973,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[403,99],"class_list":["post-471972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-soccer","tag-soccer","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=471972"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471972\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/471973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=471972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=471972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=471972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}