Premier League leaders Arsenal travel to the North East to face high-flying Sunderland on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit six points clear at the top of the top flight table having won five consecutive matches in the competition, and they have also kept four clean sheets on the bounce.
The Black Cats have been mightily impressive so far this term, though, and Regis Le Bris’ side will fancy their chances of causing an upset at The Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, it has emerged that the Gunners have set a huge asking price for one of their key players, in an effort to deter interest from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, via CaughtOffside, the North London giants will demand a fee in excess of £130 million to allow midfielder Declan Rice to leave the club, amid interest from Real Madrid.
Rice has been in fine form for Arsenal over the past couple of seasons (Photo: Every Second Media/Alamy)
The report claims that the La Liga leaders are on the hunt for transfer targets to bolster Mikel Arteta’s midfield options next year, and England international Rice has emerged as a possible candidate.
Arsenal are understandably reluctant to lose such an important player, however, and the London side have therefore refused to entertain offers below £131 million for the player, the report suggests.
Rice, 26, joined Arsenal from London rivals West Ham United in 2023 for a fee of £105 million – a record between two British clubs – and he has since established himself as an integral part of Arteta’s squad.
In total he has now played 119 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions, but the report suggests that his impressive displays have attracted interest from Real Madrid.
Rice’s ability to play in a number of central midfield roles is said to be appealing to the La Liga giants, as they look to bolster Alonso’s midfield options next year.