Real Madrid target Arsenal star as part of £220m double deal

Real Madrid plot £215m double swoop including Arsenal star

Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a sensational £215 million spending spree as part of a plan to secure two marquee signings — one from Arsenal and another from Paris Saint-Germain — in a move that would once again underline their status as European football’s dominant financial force.

Rice tops Real Madrid shortlist

Declan Rice has emerged as Real Madrid’s primary target as they look to reinforce their midfield for the next phase of Xabi Alonso’s reign. Club president Florentino Pérez is said to be ready to sanction a £130 million offer for the Arsenal and England midfielder, a figure that would eclipse what the Gunners paid West Ham United in 2023.

Rice has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers since his move to north London. His influence under Mikel Arteta has been immense — dictating play, breaking up attacks, and providing a calm authority that has become central to Arsenal’s title ambitions.

Madrid’s recruitment department reportedly see Rice as the natural long-term heir to the likes of Casemiro and Luka Modrić. His tactical intelligence, physicality, and leadership qualities make him an ideal fit for Alonso’s evolving system. Sources in Spain suggest that Madrid have been monitoring Rice closely since his West Ham days, with Alonso particularly impressed by the midfielder’s ability to adapt across different formations and intensities.

Madrid eye Barcola to strengthen attack

Alongside their pursuit of Rice, Real Madrid are also preparing a £85 million offer for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. The 23-year-old Frenchman has been one of Ligue 1’s standout talents over the past year, known for his acceleration, creativity, and composure in front of goal.

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Barcola’s emergence at PSG has made him one of the most sought-after young forwards in Europe. Real Madrid scouts believe his versatility across the front line and potential for further development make him a perfect addition to the squad — particularly if Rodrygo were to depart in the summer window.

However, PSG are reluctant to part ways with Barcola. The Parisian club view him as a key part of their long-term project, and it would likely take a clear expression of the player’s desire to leave — combined with Madrid’s substantial offer — to even open negotiations.

Strategic ambition behind £215m plan

For Madrid, these two pursuits fit neatly within a broader strategy to ensure continued dominance at both domestic and continental level. The club’s hierarchy has approved a provisional transfer budget of around £215 million, with plans to balance expenditure through potential player sales and careful wage adjustments.

Pérez and sporting director Juni Calafat remain determined to sustain Madrid’s tradition of combining financial discipline with sporting ambition. Recent acquisitions such as Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga have rejuvenated the midfield, but the club sees Rice as the missing piece — a player capable of anchoring the team for the next decade.

Meanwhile, adding Barcola would enhance Madrid’s attacking options and inject further pace and unpredictability into their front line. With Vinícius Júnior already established as one of Europe’s elite wingers, the potential addition of Barcola could give Alonso an enviable variety of attacking combinations.

Madrid intent on maintaining European supremacy

Should these deals progress, Real Madrid would once again make a statement to the rest of Europe. Their pursuit of top-tier talent from both the Premier League and Ligue 1 reflects a blend of short-term ambition and long-term planning.

While Arsenal are expected to resist any approach for Rice — a player Arteta views as essential to his side’s structure and mentality — Madrid’s financial muscle means few targets can be ruled out. Pérez’s determination to deliver another summer of Galáctico-level arrivals suggests the Spanish champions remain as ambitious as ever in their quest to stay at the summit of European football.