Tusport - News - Real Madrid target Rice over Rodri and Enzo in bold move

Real Madrid have stepped up their pursuit of a marquee midfielder and, according to insider Graeme Bailey, influential figures at the Bernabéu are pushing Declan Rice to the top of the club’s summer wishlist. While Manchester City’s Rodri and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández remain admired options, the internal argument gathering pace is that Rice is currently the most complete all‑round midfielder in Europe. The Arsenal star’s profile has captured Madrid’s attention for several reasons: leadership, physical presence, tactical intelligence and crisp technical execution. Sources suggest senior voices in the hierarchy see Rice not merely as a ball‑winner, but as a tone‑setter who can anchor a midfield for years, evolve possession phases, and raise the collective ceiling in major competitions. Rice’s 2025/26 campaign has underlined that belief. He was central to Arsenal clinching their first England Premier League title since 2003/04, contributing four league goals and seven assists while delivering a relentless stream of high‑grade performances. In Europe, he added one goal and two assists as Arsenal reached the UEFA Champions League final, ultimately falling to holders Paris Saint‑Germain. Notably, Rice did not miss a minute of the knockout stages and even captained the second leg of the quarter‑final against Sporting CP—moments that reinforced the leadership Real Madrid covet. Madrid’s long‑standing admiration for Rodri is no secret; his metronomic distribution and press resistance would slot neatly into any elite side. Enzo Fernández, meanwhile, has hinted at uncertainty over his Chelsea future, and his progressive passing and final‑third vision fit the club’s technical ideals. Yet, as Bailey told TEAMtalk, a growing faction inside Madrid believes Rice offers the most rounded blend of attributes right now. Financially, all three midfielders would command fees north of £100 million, meaning the decision will be less about marginal cost and more about fit, longevity and immediate impact. For Madrid, who continually recalibrate to compete on multiple fronts, investing in the right profile matters more than shaving a few million off the fee. Strategically, Rice would complement Madrid’s existing core by adding elite ball recovery, vertical carrying and late-arrival threat. He can anchor a double pivot, operate as a No.6 in a single‑holder system, or push higher as a dynamic No.8—tactical flexibility that could future‑proof the side across domestic and European demands. If Madrid formalize interest, they must still navigate Arsenal’s firm stance on a cornerstone player and the realities of Premier League wealth. But the message from inside the Bernabéu is clear: if a transformative midfielder is signed this summer, many want Declan Rice to be that player.