Manchester City's desperate search for reinforcements in the middle of midfield appears to have led them to Ajax starlet Frenkie de Jong, with reports claiming that a £70m move is already being planned for next summer.
City boss Pep Guardiola was keen to sign a midfielder during the transfer window, having seen veteran Yaya Toure leave the club upon the expiration of his contract and thus leaving him without cover for the ageing Fernandinho.
Jorginho of Napoli was top of his list, but he opted to a reunion with former boss Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea. With no other stand-out options available, City opted to put any move on the backburner, though the gap in their squad very much remains.
According to the 'Daily Mail', City have scouted de Jong extensively, but a deal looks anything but straightforward.
Spanish giants Barcelona are also known to be interested in the 21-year-old, having made several approaches for his services in the summer, only to be told in no uncertain terms that he was not for sale.
The Dutch outfit's reluctance to sell is another factor that complicates any potential deal, with reports suggesting it could take a fee of £70m to convince them to part with the Holland international, a figure that would represent a new record signing for City.
As things stand, the Premier League champions are thought to be planning on waiting until the summer to make their approach, though injuries and loss of form within their current midfield could force their hand into an early approach in January.
Wolves' Portuguese star Ruben Neves is understood to be another of the names under consideration by Guardiola's side.