Real Madrid News
Real Madrid boss Ancelotti ‘likes’ Arsenal, Chelsea midfield target
According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio on Soccernews.nl, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is an admirer of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice. The 24-year-old is also a transfer target for Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea as well as Manchester United.
Rice seems poised to leave West Ham United at the end of the ongoing season when he enters the final year of his contract. And the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea are hot on his trails. Manchester United, too, are said to be monitoring his situation.
“When Arsenal and Manchester United watch a player, it is always a possibility that Chelsea will intervene. They may not be concrete yet, but that can change just like that. Chelsea is like a ghost that follows every footballer and can appear just like that,” Di Marzio said.
However, the Sky Sport Italia journalist also mentioned Real Madrid as a possible option for Rice as manager Ancelotti likes the West Ham United and England midfielder.
“And maybe we can even add Real Madrid to that list. Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan of his qualities. So you should never forget to mention Real Madrid, for the simple reason that Carlo Ancelotti likes Declan Rice,” he added.
Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements next summer amidst uncertainties looming over the future of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Jude Bellingham has been identified as the primary transfer target by Los Blancos, although Liverpool are also very much in the running for the Borussia Dortmund wonderkid.
While Rice has not exactly been mentioned as a target, Ancelotti is said to be a big admirer and Real Madrid could look at him as an option in case their pursuit of Bellingham does not pan out in the summer.
The England international has grown leaps and bounds since bursting onto the scenes at West Ham and at 24, has his best years in front of him.
A key part of the setup at the club and international level, Rice seems certain to move on come summer. Whether Real Madrid decide to enter the race for the former Chelsea trainee will be interesting to see.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
