Manchester City are increasingly confident of signing Everton defender John Stones this summer, although no concrete bid has been made.
Goal understands Stones has long set his sights on a move to the Etihad Stadium, and City have been frontrunners to land his signature for months.
The club have always known that they will have to part with around £50 million if they are to land their chief defensive target, meaning Everton's high valuation, which has put off other suitors, should not pose a problem.
Barcelona had identified the England centre-back as a potential target earlier this year and Manchester United had also considered entering the fray.
But Stones' desire to link up with Pep Guardiola - and, in Barca's case, his lofty pricetag - has left City as the overwhelming favourites to seal a deal.
Their chances were increased further on Tuesday when it was revealed that Stones had informed new Everton boss Ronald Koeman of his intention to join City as soon as possible.
*2015-16 Premier League stats
It is understood the Blues are yet to make a formal offer, but that stance is expected to change in the coming days.
Stones is due to re-join the Toffees' squad for pre-season training next week following his participation with England at Euro 2016, where he did not see a minute of action.
And with City set to fly to Germany in the early part of the week as they kick off their series of summer friendlies, talks for Stones could now accelerate.
Having been forced to explore other options, such as Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci and, reportedly, Atletico Madrid's Lucas Hernandez, after being snubbed by Athletic centre-back Aymeric Laporte, City will not want to miss out on Stones.
Bonucci is eight years older than Laporte, who elected to extend his contract with Athletic despite weighing up a move to City earlier this year, and the Premier League side are currently considering whether to pay Juve's believed asking price of more than £50m.
There is also the possibility that Eliaquim Mangala, who had previously been earmarked for a summer exit, could start the new season at the Etihad if no second centre-back can be brought in.
City, though, are keen to clear up any uncertainty as soon as possible as they prepare for their four pre-season fixtures, and movement is also expected in the race to sign Schalke forward Leroy Sane.
The 19-year-old winger is thought to be the Blues' only remaining transfer target in the attacking positions.
Left-sided forward Nolito has already been signed from Celta for £14.8m, incoming Colombia winger Marlos Moreno will be loaned out to a Spanish club, while interest in Borussia Dortmund's Pierre Emerick Aubameyang got no further than the Bundesliga club's £65m asking price.
City sources also indicate that there has been no interest in Torino right-back Bruno Peres, despite a flurry of links in the Italian press.
City's preparations for the 2016-17 campaign move up a gear next week when Guardiola takes charge of his first match as manager against Bayern Munich, his former employers.
Guardiola will then welcome back many of his players who were involved either in the European Championship or the Copa America, including Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, for the two-game tour of China.
The Blues will meet Jose Mourinho's Manchester United in Beijing on July 25 and Dortmund in Shenzhen on July 28, before facing Arsenal in Sweden six days before kicking off their Premier League campaign with a home clash against Sunderland.
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- Goal