Arsenal have reportedly missed out on the transfer of Real Madrid defender Victor Valdepenas, who is set to join Fiorentina instead.
The talented young Spaniard is closing in on an €8m move from Real Madrid to Fiorentina, with a 50% sell-on clause and some form of first refusal option with his new club, putting Real Madrid in control over his long-term future.
Fiorentina has reached a verbal agreement to sign Valdepenas from Real Madrid, with a transfer fee of €8m and a contract until June 2031.
Real Madrid will maintain a 50% sell-on clause and future control in case of any bids, giving them significant leverage over Valdepenas' long-term future.
Arsenal had a long-standing interest in Valdepenas, but the terms of the deal with Fiorentina are very favourable towards Real Madrid, making it unlikely that the Gunners would have agreed to the same conditions.
Instead, this looks like a sale that is set up for Valdepenas to come back to Madrid at some point in the future, potentially making it a profitable move for Real Madrid and potentially forcing them to re-sign Valdepenas themselves.
This development could also mean that Arsenal can come back in for Valdepenas in the future if he impresses at Fiorentina, with the fee being split evenly between Fiorentina and Real Madrid.
