Arsenal are being linked with a number of players ahead of the January transfer window.
The Gunners aren’t expected to do much in the winter after spending a fortune on eight new players in the summer.
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However, Andrea Berta is working really hard behind the scenes to strengthen Arsenal, either in January or following the end of this season.
One player who is said to be of interest to the Premier League leaders is Victor Valdepenas of Real Madrid.
Victor Valdepenas’ stance on leaving Real Madrid for Arsenal in 2026
Arsenal have caused a lot of problems for Real Madrid this year.
The Gunners first beat them 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League last season. It was a humiliating result for Los Blancos and definitely contributed to Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.
Then, in the summer, Arsenal stole Martin Zubimendi from Real Madrid’s clutches, and he has proved to be an incredible signing.
Arsenal didn’t sign Rodrygo in the summer despite all the links. That was due to the finances involved in any potential deal.
Now, Berta is looking at the Brazilian’s teammate – Valdepenas.
Fabrizio Romano revealed in October this year that Arsenal were monitoring Valdepenas‘ situation in Spain. ESPN Deportes have backed that claim now, but there is some bad news.
It has been revealed that the young defender’s preference is to stay at Real Madrid, for whom he has played just once in his career. That came earlier in December.
However, it has been claimed that everything depends on the Spanish club’s plans for him and that offers are expected to arrive in the summer.
If you were Andrea Berta and could sign any player in the world right now, who would it be and why?
Arsenal should focus on a different type of defender
Valdepenas is an elite talent, and it is no surprise that Arsenal have set their sights on him.
The teenager is a left-footed defender who can play as a left-sided centre-half or at left-back, which makes him a great option for clubs.
However, Arsenal already have Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie who can do just that. They even had Jakub Kiwior who could do the same job but let him go, which is proof that they don’t need another player like that.
Arsenal should instead focus on a right-back. That’s because Ben White has suffered another injury, and it is difficult to rely on him for the whole season.
For that reason, Berta needs to sign a backup right-back in 2026 instead of another left-footed defender.
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