Arsenal plot surprise loan move for Real Madrid star, would be a significant signing

Arsenal are interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga on loan until the end of the season during the January transfer window, according to a new report.

The Times claimed on Tuesday that the Gunners had made West Ham star Declan Rice their transfer priority for the summer, with Mikel Arteta seemingly keen to add new faces to his midfield.

It has been reported that the England international could be available for around £80 million, though Hammers boss David Moyes stated on Boxing Day that his side would put up a 'big fight' to keep Rice at the London Stadium.

As for the current campaign, Arsenal are currently in the process of adding more quality to their squad to aid their Premier League title challenge.

Leandro Trossard arrived at the club on Friday from Brighton, and the Gunners are hopeful he will be eligible to take on Manchester United on Sunday.

Meanwhile, as per Polish journalist Tomasz Wlodarczyk, they have agreed a £20 million fee with Serie A side Spezia to sign 22-year-old centre-back Jakub Kiwior.

And their next position to fill in January could well be central midfield.

Arsenal 'interested in Camavinga'

The Evening Standard's Simon Collings has claimed that Arsenal want to bring France international Camavinga to the Emirates Stadium for the rest of the season, with their main summer target still Declan Rice.

His report adds that it is currently unknown as to whether Real would sanction such a move, although the 20-year-old has started just five games in La Liga for Carlo Ancelotti's side this season. He did, however, play 90 minutes in Thursday's 3-2 win over Villarreal in the Copa del Rey.

Camavinga was named in France's World Cup squad and started the final group game against Tunisia, albeit in a more unfamiliar left-back position.

Explaining why Camavinga has not had a great deal of gametime for Real in recent times, Ancelotti told Real's website: "The [half-time] substitution against Valencia [in the Spanish Super Cup, January 11] was a technical one. He played well, but I changed him so as to not risk playing with 10 players [Camavinga was booked].

"He played well against Barcelona [in the next match], but I switched him because I wanted to bring more players on up front.

"I really believe in him. Admittedly, I've taken him off a number of times at the end of the first half and I haven't always been fair to him in this respect, but I have complete confidence in him, and he'll contribute to the team tomorrow [against Villarreal] like he always does."