Manchester City are close to reaching a deal with Aston Villa for Jack Grealish, sources have told ESPN.
Sources told ESPN's Mark Ogden earlier this month that City boss Pep Guardiola had made Grealish a prime target with Harry Kane, and now City to pay around £100million ($139m) for the midfielder is ready. The deal would be a British record if it eclipses the £89.3m ($124m) Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba in 2016.
City have so far declined to comment, but sources said a fee has not yet been agreed between the Premier League champions and Villa.
Sources told ESPN that formal talks between the clubs are yet to take place, but City are confident a deal can be struck after Euro 2020. Guardiola and director of football Tsikki Begiristen are fans and interest in Grealish has been growing for over a year. .
Grealish, 25, is preparing for England's European Championship round-of-16 with Germany, and is expected to make a move to City after his participation in the tournament ends. The final is to be held at Wembley on 11 July.
Since making his senior debut for his boyhood club in 2014, Grealish has made 213 appearances for Aston Villa, scoring 32 goals. He won nine caps for England and began a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Sources have told ESPN that City will keep their interest in Kane even if they find a deal for Grealish on the line. Kane still has three years left on his contract and is valued at over £150m ($208m) by Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy.
The possible arrival of Grealish is likely to cast doubts on the futures of many City forwards. Sources have told ESPN that Bernardo Silva is set to leave the Etihad Stadium amid interest from several clubs in Spain and Italy.
Raheem Sterling has also been linked with a move after falling in favor of Guardiola in the second half of last season.