Arsenal are now interested in signing Anderlecht and Belgium midfielder Nathan De Cat, with a number of Europe’s top clubs in the race for his signature.
The Gunners are eyeing a central midfielder, ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final away at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, and Declan Rice has issued a rallying cry ahead of the trip to Spain.
Rice said: “We’ve played in tough games in the last three or four years at the highest level, so we know what to expect and what’s to come. That’s what it’s been all season, and that’s what we want it to be towards the end of the season.
“We’re Champions League semi-finalists, let’s embrace it, enjoy it and bring it on.”
Rice has a big role to play over the two legs against Atletico Madrid, having been a key player all season, amassing five goals and 11 assists in 49 matches across all competitions.
Although the Englishman is yet to win a major trophy since arriving from West Ham United, he has certainly earned his fair share of admirers, with Anderlecht youngster De Cat saying: “My role models are Declan Rice of Arsenal and Rodri of Man City. To reach that level, I have to work hard.”
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal have now entered the race to sign the Belgian prodigy, but there could be competition from their Premier League rivals, with Chelsea and Manchester City recently stepping up their interest.
Bayern Munich are also very keen, given manager Vincent Kompany’s links to Anderlecht and Belgian football in general.
Previously valued at around £30m, although the starlet is still only 17-years-old, he has already earned his first cap for the Belgium national side, being handed his debut in a 5-2 victory against the USA back in March.
The central midfielder has four goals and five assists to his name in 47 senior appearances for Anderlecht, and he caught scout Jacek Kulig’s eye with his performances in the 2024-25 season.
What Gary Neville has said about Arsenal’s Champions League chances
Arsenal bounced back from the defeat at Manchester City by edging out Newcastle United in a 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
However, despite setting the pace in the Premier League for large parts of the campaign, Gary Neville has reservations about whether the Gunners are capable of going all the way in the Champions League.
“I think there are better teams in there than them in the Champions League and it’s a cup competition,” Neville explained. “They’ve got three games left and they’ve only got four left in the league, so you could argue that it’s easy to win both, but I don’t see them getting past Atlético Madrid and the other teams in the semifinal, but I do see them having a chance with the league.”
Wednesday’s trip to the Spanish capital could be season-defining for Mikel Arteta’s side, but Tottenham Hotspur were able to beat Atletico 3-2 at home in the second leg of the round of 16, which should give them confidence heading into the tie.