Florian Wirtz's future has supposedly taken a fresh twist, as Manchester City are close to striking a verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over a move for the Germany international.
As one of the most highly-rated playmakers on the planet, Wirtz is naturally believed to be at the top of City's shortlist to replace Kevin De Bruyne, who will depart when his deal expires in June.
However, reports over the weekend claimed that Bayern Munich had agreed a deal in principle with the player's camp and were prepared to offer Leverkusen €100m (£84.3m) to get a transfer over the line.
The 2023-24 Bundesliga champions would reportedly be happy to accept that fee from a non-German side, but from a direct rival, they are after a staggering €150m (£126.5m), complicating matters for Bayern.
According to Sky Sports, while Wirtz and Bayern are the most advanced in negotiations on that side, Leverkusen and Man City have established an 'initial basis' for a 'verbal agreement' over a transfer fee.
Bayern 'make best salary offer' to Wirtz
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The Premier League champions have apparently been in dialogue with Leverkusen for several weeks, but Bayern are currently offering Wirtz a better financial package than Man City, who are not prepared to pay any player more than Pep Guardiola.
The Citizens are believed to pay Guardiola an astonishing £20m per year, which equates to £1.6m per month and just over £400,000 a week, but Bayern have no such rule.
The reigning Bundesliga champions have reportedly shaken hands on a yearly salary package of €25m (£21.1m) with Wirtz's entourage, and his contract would run for five years until the summer of 2030.
However, while the two parties have verbally agreed his contract, there is nothing in writing, offering Man City hope of luring the 22-year-old away from the Allianz Arena even if he would be on a lower basic wage at the Etihad.
Wirtz has contributed a terrific 16 goals and 15 assists in 44 appearances for Leverkusen in all tournaments this term, taking his total for the club to 57 goals and 65 assists in 196 appearances.
How Xabi Alonso could throw a spanner in the works
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Leverkusen are already bidding farewell to one fundamental figure this summer, as Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will be stepping down as head coach ahead of an expected switch to Real Madrid.
The Spaniard is believed to be keen on reuniting with Wirtz at the Bernabeu, but he would likely be fighting a losing battle with president Florentino Perez to convince Los Blancos to sign the 22-year-old.
Real Madrid are already seeking a new centre-back and potentially a new goalkeeper this summer, and Perez would likely not be inclined to splash out a nine-figure sum on Wirtz as well.
Alonso has apparently accepted that he will not hold all the power when it comes to transfers at Real Madrid, but the former Liverpool midfielder has not completely given up on signing his Leverkusen protege for the Whites.
Ben Knapton
