Real Madrid are being urged internally to make Arsenal star Declan Rice a priority target as debate continues over the club\u2019s midfield plans, TEAMtalk understands.<\/p>\n
The Spanish giants are actively assessing options to strengthen the centre of their squad, with Manchester City star Rodri and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez both firmly admired within the Estadio Bernabeu hierarchy.<\/p>\n
As TEAMtalk previously revealed, Florentino Perez remains a huge admirer of Fernandez<\/a> and has already instructed work on a potential deal for the Argentine international.<\/p>\n Rodri<\/a>, meanwhile, continues to be viewed as one of the elite midfielders in world football and remains highly appreciated by Madrid\u2019s recruitment team.<\/p>\n However, TEAMtalk Insider Graeme Bailey has learned that not everyone inside the club believes those should be the primary targets.<\/p>\n Instead, some influential voices around the Madrid<\/a> hierarchy are making the case that Arsenal\u2019s Declan Rice<\/a> is currently the outstanding all-round midfielder in European football and should be at the very top of the club\u2019s wishlist.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding campaign for Arsenal, emerging as arguably the club\u2019s most influential player as they secured their first Premier League title since moving to the Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n Rice is also expected to play a starring role for England at this summer\u2019s World Cup finals, where he will head to the tournament as one of the first names on Thomas Tuchel\u2019s teamsheet and a key figure in the Three Lions\u2019 hopes of lifting the trophy.<\/p>\n While Mikel Arteta\u2019s side fell short in their pursuit of Champions League glory, Rice\u2019s performances throughout the campaign only enhanced his growing reputation as one of the world\u2019s premier midfielders.<\/p>\n Sources suggest his consistency, leadership, physicality and technical quality have all impressed observers in Spain.<\/p>\n Bailey said: \u201cReal want a midfielder, we know that, possibly even two.<\/p>\n \u201cThey love the thought of Rodri, whilst Florentino Perez is a confirmed admirer of Enzo Fernandez, who has made it clear in previous months that he is keen to leave Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n \u201cBut one name that I have heard is Declan Rice.<\/p>\n \u201cSome who have the ear of Perez are making it clear to him that they should be making sure Rice is on their radar.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT\u00a0\u2013 Real Madrid plot astonishing \u00a3150m double signing for Mourinho and Konate \u2018talks\u2019 to reopen<\/a><\/p>\n Arsenal pushing for new Declan Rice deal<\/p>\n