Aston Villa have made a late move to hijack Hull winger Jaden Philogene's move to Ipswich.
Unai Emery's side have triggered their matching rights option to equal the Tractor Boys' £18m offer for the England Under-21 international.
Villa sold the 22-year-old to the Tigers last September but retained a buy-back option under certain conditions.
It is understood Villa inserted a clause meaning they would have three days to match any bid once a deal had been agreed.
Newly promoted Ipswich had their £18m offer accepted by Hull, with Everton also agreeing a deal, and Villa have now moved to bring Philogene back to Villa Park after less than a year away.