Two German clubs join Arsenal in the race for Real Madrid youngster

Arsenal’s pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Víctor Valdepeñas has become a three-nation tug-of-war after Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund declared their intention to sign the 20-year-old this summer, AS reports.

Valdepeñas, who has made only sporadic senior appearances for Madrid this season, is expected to be made available for transfer once the current campaign closes. Arsenal have tracked the Spaniard for months, but their path to a deal has now been complicated by the Bundesliga duo, both of whom can offer the promise of more immediate first-team minutes.

The Gunners boast a Spanish manager and several La Liga graduates in their dressing-room, advantages they hope will offset the uncertainty over game time in a squad stacked with established internationals. Leverkusen and Dortmund, meanwhile, can pitch a clearer route to regular Bundesliga football, a factor that could sway a player seeking the consistent exposure that has eluded him at the Santiago Bernabéu.

With interest from Germany intensifying, Valdepepeñas faces a pivotal decision: remain on the fringes of Madrid’s star-studded midfield or embark on a new chapter in England or Germany. The next few weeks are likely to shape the trajectory of a career that has shown flashes of promise but is yet to ignite at senior level.