Arsenal and Manchester City are both chasing Real Madrid No.11 Rodrygo Goes this summer.
The Brazil international has been named on the bench by Xabi Alonso in four consecutive FIFA Club World Cup outings this summer, and is believed to be keen on a more prominent role.
TBR Football understand Arsenal are in pole position to sign Rodrygo should Real Madrid agree to sell the South American.
Sources add that Manchester City are also keen.
Regardless of who signs Rodrygo out of Arsenal and Manchester City, neither of the Premier League sides would represent a dream move for the Brazilian.
Arsenal or Manchester City face potential motivation issue, as Rodrygo is already at his dream club
Incidentally, the 24-year-old already reached his dream destination at the age of just 17, when Real Madrid paid €45m (£39m) to sign the attacker from Santos in June 2018.
Rodrygo has previously told Marca: “I have to say to myself sometimes, my God, I’ve won the Champions League. It’s still hard to believe that I’ve won it. It was always one of my biggest dreams, playing for Real Madrid and winning the Champions League.
“I’ve managed to already do it at the age of 21. It’s difficult to digest the fact that I’ve actually managed to do it. I’ve not only won the Champions League, I’ve won La Liga twice and the Spanish Super Cup twice. I don’t think it could have been any better.”
Upon his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu, Rodrygo also revealed it was the move of his dreams, saying: “Thank you for this warm welcome, I’m very happy about it, it’s a dream to be here at the Bernabeu.”
Real Madrid are widely viewed as the pinnacle of football for any player, so Mikel Arteta or Pep Guardiola might have a task on their hands to keep the Osasco-born forward hungry, should he step away from Los Blancos this summer after falling out of favour under Alonso.
Rodrygo is, however, a dream for Mikel Arteta
Whilst Arsenal and Manchester City were never the clubs of the Real Madrid No.11’s fantasies, he himself is a dream target for the Gunners.
TBR Football understand Arteta views Rodrygo as his dream signing on a personal level, and there is a genuine belief at the Emirates Stadium that a deal can be done.
Once the FIFA Club World Cup ends on Sunday, we should see some significant developments occur in this ongoing transfer saga.