Arteta sees Brahim as a more affordable option than Rodrygo, who remains out of reach financially. The Arsenal boss is believed to admire Brahim’s movement and his ability to create space in tight areas.

Inside Madrid, new manager Xabi Alonso wants to keep Brahim and has told the board he wants direct involvement in transfer decisions. “We need players with desire,” Alonso said at his first press conference.

Brahim is also being followed by Bayer Leverkusen, but his role at Madrid could be decided after the Club World Cup. No deal has been agreed yet, but Arsenal’s offer has caught the attention of the Madrid board.