United plotting shock move to sign 19-yo Real Madrid defender, Xabi Alonso will not stop him from leaving – report

Manchester United beat Real Madrid to the signing of Lille defender Leny Yoro in 2024. The Frenchman was called the Kylian Mbappe of centre-backs in Ligue 1, and many expected him to move to Santiago Bernabeu, akin to Mbappe. However, United acted swiftly to agree a deal worth around €62m with Lille to sign their prodigious talent.  Yoro has shown signs of promise, but lately he has looked off his game. Against Aston Villa, the 20-year-old could have done more to prevent both of Morgan Rogers’ goals.  Despite Yoro’s struggles, United are thought to be considering the possibility of adding another young defender to their ranks, and that too at the expense of Real. Manchester United in race to sign Victor Valdepenas According to a report in Defensa Central, United are interested in signing Victor Valdepenas from Los Blancos. They allegedly face competition from Arsenal, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Inter Milan for the young Spaniard’s services. The 19-year-old, who can play either as a central defender or left-back, isn’t actively looking to leave his boyhood club. However, there are question marks over Xabi Alonso’s plans for his development. Ex-United defender Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy are all considered ahead of Valdepenas in the pecking order out wide. He has made one La Liga appearance so far. It is understood that the growing interest in Valdepenas is “great news” for him and a “good option for Real Madrid to sell 50% of his rights and retain a buy-back clause for the future.” A no-go from the start despite immense potential Standing at 6’2″, Valdepenas is known for his imposing physique, aerial ability and and pace. Interestingly, he also possesses exceptional ball-striking ability for a defender. As per AS Diario, the Spain U19 international’s contract in Madrid includes a release clause worth €50m. Valdepenas is certainly an exciting prospect. Still, United are unlikely to trigger such an expensive clause to sign a defender with just one senior appearance under his belt.  Further, it has been widely reported that United are prioritising recruiting a new forward and midfielder in January. Antoine Semenyo has emerged as their main target in attack and Ruben Neves is being monitored as a potential midfield signing. Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Vishal Singh Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets, including North Star Network. Vishal has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Vishal also manages a leading MUFC fan page, The Red Devils, on Facebook with over a million likes. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!