Arsenal transfer news: Real Madrid wonderkid targeted as Oleksandr Zinchenko learns fate

It's been a relatively slow transfer window for Arsenal, who seem confident in sticking with their current crop of players to finally clinch the Premier League title for the first time in more than two decades come May

Mikel Arteta looks increasingly likely to put his faith in his current squad for the second half of 2025/26 instead of splurging in the January transfer window. It has been a relatively quiet month in the red half of north London, as the Gunners do the majority of their talking on the pitch.

Not only do Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table, four points clear of second-place Manchester City, but also stamped their place in the round of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday evening with an emphatic 3-2 win over Kairat. Unbeaten on the European stage this season, Arsenal finished in pole position in the league phase of the UCL, and will directly advance to the knockout stages of the tournament as a result.

While Arsenal look highly unlikely to welcome any fresh faces to the Emirates Stadium ahead of Monday's deadline, that hasn't stopped the rumour mill from churning with regards to incomings and outgoings. Here, Mirror Football breaks down some of the latest transfer news regarding Arsenal...

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Arsenal target in-demand Real Madrid wonderkid

As per the Daily Mail, Arsenal currently have Real Madrid's Victor Valdepenas on their radar. The Gunners are said to have been tracking the 19-year-old for some time now, studying him before he made his senior debut last month.

While the Spaniard's preferred position is at centre-half, Valdepenas can also operate as a left-back - offering versatility as well as quality. After bouncing between the youth systems of Villa Rosa, Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid and Leganes, the defender - who has represented his nation at Under-19s level - signed his first professional contract with Los Blancos in 2024.

He has since worked his way from the C-team up to Alvaro Arbeloa's first-team, making his full debut against Alaves in La Liga in December. Under contract until 2029, Real Madrid are in no rush to sell, and it is thought that Arsenal consider Valdepenas more of a summer target than one to pursue in the closing stages of the January window.

Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are also thought to be interested at present

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Oleksandr Zinchenko future decided

As per Telegraaf, Arsenal are set to allow Oleksandr Zinchenko to join Ajax in a deal worth £1.3million ahead of deadline day. That fee could rise dependent on if the Eredivisie giants are able to secure Champions League football for 2026/27.

Arsenal are expected to cover the 29-year-old's salary until the summer, and it is claimed that the left-back will arrive in Amsterdam for a medical on Friday. It comes after Arsenal agreed to loan the Ukrainian to Nottingham Forest for the season last summer, in what has ultimately turned out to be an unproductive move.

Zinchenko has made just five Premier League appearances for the Tricky Trees, and a further three in the Europa League.

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