Arsenal have reportedly been given the opportunity to sign Real Madrid forward Mariano Diaz for a cut-price fee.

Despite a limited budget, manager Unai Emery is attempting to be proactive in the transfer market in a bid to claim a top-four spot in the Premier League standings next season.

A new centre-back is high on his list of priorities, although the Gunners continue to be linked with attack-minded players, especially ones who are capable of playing across the forward line.

According to The Mirror, that has resulted in Real trying to tempt the North London outfit into signing Mariano, who endured a disappointing first campaign at the Bernabeu.

The 25-year-old contributed just three goals from three starts and 10 substitute outings in La Liga, putting the Brazilian on the fringes of Zinedine Zidane's squad.

Real are allegedly prepared to sell the attacker for a fee of £18m.