Real Madrid News
Real Madrid set sights on €120 million-rated Arsenal midfield superstar – report
According to TEAMtalk (h/t Bernabeu Digital), Real Madrid have their sights set on Arsenal midfield superstar Declan Rice as they plan for the future.
The Arsenal and England ace is understood to have plenty of admirers within the Spanish capital club, with influential figures believing he should be one of their main targets to strengthen the midfield.
Real Madrid want a midfielder
It is no secret that Real Madrid have been looking to strengthen their midfield with a top-quality addition.
The Merengues are, in particular, looking for someone who can provide control and help dictate tempo from the centre.
Rodri, therefore, had emerged as the priority target, but he opted to join Barcelona instead this summer. And, Real Madrid decided not to sign anyone, instead banking on Bernardo Silva to operate in a deeper role.
But now, Rice is understood to have emerged as a potential target with an eye on the future.
As per the report, manager Jose Mourinho is said to be a major admirer of the 27-year-old England international and the qualities he could bring to the Real Madrid midfield.
If he arrives, Rice would offer Real Madrid a combination of physicality, leadership, ball recovery and technical quality after having established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders, playing a key role Arsenal’s title-winning campaign.
Arsenal working on renewal
Any move would be extremely difficult, however.
Arsenal consider Rice one of the central pieces of Mikel Arteta’s project and are already preparing a new contract for him, despite his current deal running until 2028, which also has an option for an additional year.
The initial signs in London are positive, with Arsenal confident of reaching an agreement to extend his stay and secure his future.
For now, Real Madrid have not yet launched an offensive for Rice, but the midfielder is firmly on Real Madrid’s radar, and Mourinho’s admiration for him could become an important factor if the Spanish giants decide to pursue him in 2027.
For Arsenal, that interest represents an increasingly significant threat to their plans to keep one of their most important players.
*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.
Real Madrid News
Here is what Real Madrid forward Vinicius said after being sent off against Villarreal: ‘What madness’
Vinicius Jr.’s sending-off is the topic of discussion, stealing all the limelight in Madrid, and understandably so, given how the foul was absolutely unnecessary.
As a result of his moment of madness, the player now stands to miss El Clasico and will likely be unavailable for three games for Los Blancos.
The player, however, has no one to blame for his situation but himself. For starters, the offense was blatantly red-card worthy, and he only made matters worse with his reaction and outburst.
What Vinicius Jr. said
The series of events that led to the player’s red card was extraordinary, with him scoring a goal, celebrating wildly, even with the manager, Jose Mourinho, who ran halfway across the field.
The referee ruled out the goal and showed the player the red card after VAR intervention, and DAZN via The Touchline now bring to light what Vinicius said after that to aggravate the punishment.
“Red? Red? Why are you doing this?,” the player reportedly shouted at the referee immediately after being sent off.
Midfield star Jude Bellingham then joined the scene with a strong statement against the referee as well, as he said,
“This isn’t football anymore.”
Heading towards the dressing room, the player then hit out at the match officials’ decision with anger, “What madness!.”
“Sh*t league!,” he added.
An added punishment
There are two elements of Vinicius’ sending off mentioned in the referee’s report that will dictate the punishment he faces – the offense itself and the player’s reaction to the red card.
Ideally, his suspension with a red card for hair-pulling would only be for two games, but the player’s violent conduct and words after being sent off aggravate his crime.
As a result of the same, he could well face an extended sanction that may extend up to four games – something that comes as a massive blow for Real Madrid.
His participation in the Clasico is ruled out at this point, but Mourinho and Co. will hope the player’s reaction is forgiven and the punishment is lightened. If he indeed misses four games, he will be out against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Club and Valencia.
