Real Madrid set N162.5bn asking price for key Arsenal target

The winger's departure is a genuine possibility, and Real Madrid have set a Ôé¼90m (┬ú76.7m) asking price to try and raise funds for a midfielder.

Arsenal aren't the only club in the mix, with the same source listening Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur among those following Rodrygo's situation.

Real Madrid also haven't yet decided that Rodrygo is up for sale at all, waiting to see how the Club World Cup plays out. But if the opportunity does arise, Arsenal will make a move.

One other key update from Cadena SER's report is that they expect the deal to drag on late into the summer. If Rodrygo does leave, it's not expected to be until August.

That makes sense, with the Club World Cup only concluding on July 13th, and Rodrygo entitled to a holiday when Real Madrid are eliminated. It's certainly unlikely there will be any progress on a transfer before that.

Arsenal's hopes of signing Rodrygo received a boost after he was left on the bench by Xabi Alonso in Real Madrid's last game, furthering the belief that he's not a guaranteed starter under the new boss.

But there's a long way to go yet in the Club World Cup, with Real likely to make the knockout stages. A long-awaited meeting between Rodrygo and Alonso about his role could also prove pivotal.