Rumour: Arsenal priced out of £45m deal for Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Real Madrid and APOEL FC

Real Madrid have placed a £45 million price tag on Argentine winger Angel Di Maria, effectively pricing Arsenal out of a bid, writes the Metro.

Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the 26-year-old’s availability but will be unwilling to match the Spanish club’s valuation of the player.

Despite many suggesting that his impact would be diminished upon Gareth Bale’s arrival, Di Maria has been Los Blancos’ premier creative spark this season, leading the team with regards to chances created (87) and assists (15) in La Liga.

Arsenal showed they are no longer averse to spending big on one player when they landed Mesut Ozil with a club-record bid of £42 million last summer.

However, the hierarchy at the London club value Di Maria closer to the £30 million mark so will now look elsewhere for reinforcements.

Considering that there’s only one senior striker (Olivier Giroud) in the Gunners’ squad, you’d suggest that another centre-forward will top Arsene Wenger’s shopping list.

The Frenchman is also in the market for a right-back, as Bacary Sagna heads for the exit after seven years in North London.