Arsenal has reportedly lost the race for Victor Valdepenas, the promising Real Madrid defender, who is set to join Fiorentina in a transfer deal worth €8 million. The news comes from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed on his official X page that the young Spaniard is closing in on a move that includes significant terms favoring Real Madrid.

According to Romano:

• Valdepenas will sign a contract until June 2031.
• Real Madrid retains a 50% sell-on clause and some form of first refusal option, which allows them to maintain control over his future.
• The clubs have begun exchanging documents to finalize the transfer.

This development is particularly disappointing for Arsenal, who have had a longstanding interest in the 19-year-old defender. Despite Arsenal's enthusiasm, the terms of the deal with Fiorentina appear more advantageous for Real Madrid, making it unlikely Arsenal would have matched such conditions.

The structure of this agreement suggests that Valdepenas could potentially return to Real Madrid in the future, especially if he thrives in Serie A. Alternatively, should he leave Fiorentina for a significant fee, it would still benefit Real Madrid financially, contrasting with Arsenal's usual approach of retaining their star players.

This situation leaves the door open for Arsenal to revisit their interest in Valdepenas later, especially if he performs well in Italy, with any future transfer fees likely to be shared between Fiorentina and Real Madrid.