Arsenal have learned the eye-watering sum it would reportedly take to lure Rodrygo away from Real Madrid this summer. Mikel Arteta is believed to have identified the 24-year-old as a leading candidate to bolster his options on the left wing, where fellow Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli currently lays claim to the starting berth.
Martinelli scored eight Premier League goals last season - a total bettered only by Kai Havertz in the Arsenal squad. But many feel that an upgrade, or at least increased competition, will be required to help Arteta finally get his side over the line in a title race.
A handful of transfer targets have emerged since the start of the summer window. The Gunners are said to have explored a move for free agent Leroy Sane before he opted for Galatasaray, they hold a long-standing interest in Nico Williams, who now seems bound for Barcelona, and enquiries have been made about Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.
But Rodrygo is also firmly in the mix, and Arsenal may have an opportunity to sign him if new Real manager Xabi Alonso does not consider him an integral part of the side.
According to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, 'exploratory talks' between Arsenal and Rodrygo's representatives have been taking place since May. And Los Blancos have pinned him with a hefty £77million price tag.
That figure would propel Rodrygo ahead of Nicolas Pepe and Havertz, but behind Declan Rice as the second-most expensive signing in Arsenal history. Arteta may have some convincing to do if he is to prise him away from the Spanish capital, where he has spent the last six years.
During his time at the Bernabeu, Rodrygo has won two Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles, and cemented himself as a regular in the Brazilian national team. He also boasts 68 goals across 267 games in the famous white shirt.
Whether Arsenal are willing to meet Real's financial demands remains to be seen. Much of the north Londoners' efforts up to this point in the summer have been focused on solving Arteta's centre-forward shortage.
Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins are understood to be in the mix, but all three players would be expensive. Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last term for the third season running and Arteta will be desperate for game-changing signings to help close the gap on Liverpool.