Víctor Valdepeñas is set for Fiorentina, but the move is being shaped in a way that keeps Real Madrid heavily involved. Fiorentina and Madrid have reached a verbal agreement for the defender, with the fee set at €8 million. The deal also includes Madrid keeping 50% sell-on rights and future control in case of any bids, which is why this is not a standard sale.
Madrid's hold on the deal
Fabrizio Romano said Fiorentina had reached verbal agreement to sign Valdepeñas from Madrid, adding that the clubs had started exchanging documents. His full update also said the contract runs until June 2031 and that Madrid will maintain 50% sell-on rights and future control in case of any bids.
That is the part worth focusing on. Madrid are not just cashing out on a young defender, they are protecting upside if Valdepeñas develops the way they think he can. The club have already sold 8 players this transfer window and brought in €138 million in sales, so this fits a broader outflow rather than a one-off move.
What Fiorentina are getting
There is a football reason Fiorentina want him as well. Valdepeñas can play both centre-back and left-back, which gives the club a useful extra option in a summer where they are close to completing their fifth signing. A player who can cover two defensive roles is never wasted value, especially when the fee is still only €8 million.
The only real caveat is where the deal sits right now. One outlet presents it as a verbal agreement with documents being exchanged, while other reporting describes it as close to completion. That is a small but real difference, and it matters because no club announcement has landed yet. The structure, though, is already clear enough: Fiorentina get the player, Madrid keep a strong grip on what happens next.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →