Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a loan move for Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga, with a swoop for Declan Rice likely to have to wait until the summer.
West Ham captain Rice, part of England's 2022 World Cup squad, remains high on the Gunners' list as they set the wheels in motion for a £75m summer move. In the meantime, though, the Premier League leaders have been alerted to the possibility of a short-term deal for Camavinga.
The France international, who played for Les Bleus in Qatar, joined Real Madrid from Rennes in the summer of 2021 for a reported €30m. However, with the 20-year-old struggling for regular starts this term, there is a chance he is allowed to leave on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are interested in Camavinga but it is not yet clear whether Real Madrid would be open to a move. The youngster has managed just over 1,000 first-team minutes this season, with summer signing Aurelien Tchouameni joining the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric as a midfield option.
Camavinga has featured in every league game this season under Carlo Ancelotti, but most of those appearances have come as a substitute. He also started just two of Los Blancos' six Champions League group games, coming off the bench in three of the other four.
If Arsenal are able to wrap up a loan move, it would allow Real Madrid to avoid sending the starlet to a Champions League rival. It would also be far from the first time the two clubs have done loan business.
How good a signing would Camavinga be for Arsenal? Have your say in the comments section
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is one of the higher-profile arrivals in north London from the Spanish capital. The Norwegian initially joined on loan in January 2021 before making his move permanent a few months later.
In both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, meanwhile, Arsenal brought in Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid. The Spanish international is now back at the Bernabeu after his 77 Gunners appearances were not followed by a permanent transfer.
Arsenal's pursuit of Camavinga does not mean they are out of the running for Rice. Indeed, a swoop for the Hammers captain was only ever likely to be sanctioned in the summer.
West Ham, who are battling against the drop, have previously looked for a fee north of £100m for a player with more than 200 senior appearances for the club at the age of 24. Arsenal are believed to have their eye on a £75m deal, though, and the eventual asking price may hinge on whether the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United - both previously linked with the 39-cap England man - return to the table.
