Real Madrid are among the clubs that have been linked with a move for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

However, Madrid’s links with Rice doesn’t seem to be strong and has cooled off of late.

Former Premier League ace Joe Cole, believes every top side in Europe will be targeting Rice, apart from Real Madrid who already have a star studded midfield.

“Every club in Europe will be looking at Declan because of what he brings to the team,” Joe Cole told BT Sport.

“The only club I’d probably rule out is maybe Real Madrid because of [Toni] Kroos, [Luka] Modric, [Federico] Valverde, [Aurelien] Tchouameni and [Eduardo] Camavinga… but every other club needs a midfielder and Rice is as good as anyone.”

Rice himself, has admitted he’d like to play in the Champions League.

When asked about his desire to play in the Champions League at the World Cup in Qatar, Rice said: “It is as urgent as possible. I feel like, not only for me, that’s for every young player as well.

“We are really close with West Ham at the minute and last season it was gutting to lose out on it but we are pushing.

“We’ll keep going. Champions League is a big aim of mine and hopefully one day I can play in it and do well.

“I feel like I am one of the established top players around the world. I am only 23, so I am still young — that’s what I mean in that sense — but in terms of my playing ability and the way I’ve performed consistently, I see myself as an established player now who’s got good experience and can play at any level if required.”