Borussia Dortmund push hard for Real Madrid starlet Víctor Valdepeñas amid Arsenal and Leverkusen interest

Borussia Dortmund have moved to the front of the queue for Real Madrid prospect Víctor Valdepeñas, with Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen active in the background. The pathway at Dortmund is clear and attractive, while Madrid are expected to protect their asset with a buy-back clause if a transfer advances. From a squad-building view, BVB offer immediate minutes and a clear development plan, Leverkusen provide a refined structure, and Arsenal present elite standards but tougher competition. Momentum points to the Bundesliga, where Dortmund’s record with young talents could tip the deal over the line in the coming days.

German reporting has highlighted Dortmund’s serious intent, with additional indications that Arsenal and Leverkusen have maintained contact for weeks. The player is contracted to Real Madrid and has been a standout at academy level this season, drawing interest from top recruiters who value his technical ceiling and versatility. Internal discussions at interested clubs focus on a long-term plan and assurances on minutes. The expectation in Spain is that any exit would include protective mechanisms for Madrid, reflecting recent approaches to high-upside prospects.

🚨 JUST IN: Borussia Dortmund are SERIOUSLY interested in Víctor Valdepeñas. Arsenal & Bayer Leverkusen are also working hard for his signing in the background. @BILD

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

Dortmund’s pitch is simple and powerful: minutes, responsibility, and a clear role. Under a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, they prize a high-tempo front unit that presses early and attacks space. For a young, technically secure Madrid prospect like Víctor Valdepeñas, this is an ideal accelerator. Dortmund routinely rank near the top in the Bundesliga for minutes given to U21 players and for transition chances created - both metrics align with a prospect who thrives in quick combinations and third-man runs.

Leverkusen offer a different value proposition. Xabi Alonso’s structure - rotations between wingbacks and interiors, patient circulation before vertical punches - can supercharge decision-making and timing in the final third. It is a masterclass environment, yet the bar for minutes is high given their title-level consistency. Arsenal’s pathway is the most demanding: training standards are elite, but breaking into a front line featuring Saka, Martinelli, Trossard and others would likely mean a slower ramp, possibly a loan.

From video review and feedback from scouts who have tracked him across Spanish youth competition, Valdepeñas profiles as press-resistant, with clean first touch and awareness in tight lanes. He receives on the half-turn, links quickly, and shows maturity in off-ball movement. That toolkit maps neatly onto Dortmund’s need for an extra technician between the lines who can also attack the box. If Madrid proceed, expect a buy-back clause and appearance-based add-ons, protecting upside while granting the player a faster runway.

Reaction

Social chatter tilts in familiar directions. Many applaud Dortmund’s nose for emerging talent, joking that they “sniff gems” before others react. Others frame this as a classic auction moment, with Arsenal and Leverkusen lurking and the agent enjoying a hot week. Madrid-leaning voices push back, arguing the club should not sell a player some compare to the academy’s most promising recent products, while pragmatic fans suggest a sale with a cheap buy-back clause as the smartest balance of development and protection.

There’s also an undercurrent of squad-need debate: some Madrid supporters pivot the conversation toward the first team’s injury history in defense and ask why any resources would shift from stabilizing the back line. A few even propose offloading different names entirely, showing how rumor threads pull broader frustrations into view. One cheeky comment says Dortmund collect youngsters and trade them like cards - a backhanded compliment acknowledging BVB’s business model and track record of turning potential into profit.

Netting it out, sentiment recognizes Dortmund as the best pathway for minutes, with Madrid fans split between keeping the talent at all costs or structuring a safeguarded exit. Arsenal admirers admit the competition for places is brutal. Leverkusen earn respect for development but are viewed as a tougher side to break into mid-season.

Social reactions

Please nooo. Get Mendy and Fran Garcia.

Lotswayo (@LLumamba)

We dont play him so send him on loan. All of aguado, fortea, him and even joan should go on loan because we need them next szn. Next summer carvajal, rudi, alaba, mendy, fran and even militao if he cant stay fit would leave so joan would be back up cb, fortea rb, aguado lb

E (@eemmmmeeeeaaa)

Cuantos defensores tiene el arsenal jajaja

Eduardo (@OHG2110)

Prediction

Dortmund are marginal favorites. Their proposal aligns with the player’s near-term need for senior minutes and with Madrid’s longer-term control via a buy-back. A likely structure would be a modest initial fee, performance-related add-ons, a sell-on percentage, and a buy-back option within a defined window. This template has become standard for Spanish giants managing blue-chip academy pathways without congesting their first team.

Scenario 1 - Dortmund close: BVB accelerate talks, present a clear role and performance plan, and secure verbal alignment with the player’s camp. Madrid approve, contingent on legal protections. Timeline: weeks, not months.

Scenario 2 - Leverkusen pounce: If Dortmund hesitate on clauses or timeline, Leverkusen step in. Alonso’s development pitch is elite, but squad minutes could trend lower initially, possibly with a phased integration.

Scenario 3 - Arsenal monitor: Arsenal stay engaged but prioritize value and pathway. If the price rises or the buy-back becomes too strong, they pivot to summer options. In this lane, a late loan-back or multi-club pathway could surface, but it is less likely than a clean Bundesliga move.

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Conclusion

Everything about this chase points to the Bundesliga - and specifically Dortmund - as the optimal bridge from academy stardom to senior impact. The sporting logic is tight: BVB need another technical connector who can play at pace, press smartly, and attack gaps. The market logic also aligns: Madrid protect the upside, the player accelerates his learning curve, and Dortmund gain a high-ceiling asset with a manageable risk profile.

Arsenal and Leverkusen remain credible. Arsenal offer a top-tier development culture but a heavier bottleneck for minutes. Leverkusen provide an exquisite tactical school under Alonso, though competition is fierce and rhythm can be hard to find mid-campaign. In contrast, Dortmund’s willingness to hand responsibility to young attackers is proven, and that historically tilts decisions for talents in this bracket.

Unless Madrid change posture and promise a near-term first-team role, expect the deal to move toward Germany with a protective clause set. It gives all parties a rational win: pathway, protection, and performance upside. The momentum is real, and the fit is right.