Manchester City have made a club-record £100m bid for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.
City manager Pep Guardiola has made the 25-year-old English midfielder one of his major targets.
It is understood there has been communication between the two Premier League clubs throughout the summer.
City have made their move before Grealish returns to Villa for the start of pre-season training at Bodymoor Heath next week.
Guardiola feels Grealish can add an extra dimension to City's attack and propel them to the Champions League title for the first time, which they missed out on last season when they were beaten in the final by Chelsea.