Real Madrid have moved ahead of Barcelona and into pole position to snatch starlet Rodrygo from Santos, according to reports.

Rodrygo, 17, reinforced his status as the hottest property in Brazilian football this week with a hat-trick against Vitoria. Such performances, allied with an enticing €50 million (Dh217.1m) release clause, have made him coveted across Europe.

La Liga winners Barca have long been considered his most-likely destination. But Globo Esporte now reports that the forward could be bound for Santiago Bernabeu after a €45m (Dh195.4m) offer was made by the Champions League holders – which is €15m (Dh65.1m) more than their great Clasico rivals.

Rodrygo has scored nine goals in 30 first-team matches for Santos.