Manchester United and Liverpool are both weighing a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, TEAMtalk reported.
A deal in the winter window looks unlikely, so any real movement probably waits until next summer.
Nmecha is 26 and plays for Germany. He signed a contract extension earlier this year that runs to June 2030, which leaves Dortmund firmly in control of the talks.
Where each club stands
United are the more advanced of the two.
Anfield Index, relaying the TEAMtalk report, said United have kept up a persistent interest in the player and have made contact as they assess their options before the winter window.
Liverpool's interest is conditional. Nmecha is one possible fallback if their pursuit of Bournemouth's Alex Scott comes to nothing.
Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Arsenal have all been linked with him in the past. TEAMtalk did not report fresh approaches from any of them.
The release clause and Dortmund's price
Nmecha's deal contains an €80 million release clause.
TEAMtalk's account, as carried by Anfield Index, is that nothing can be triggered in January and the clause only becomes active from the summer of 2027.
If a club does pay it then, Dortmund cannot block the move.
Dortmund are not waiting for that, though. Their valuation is said to be in the region of €90 million to €100 million, with the top of that range worth about £84.2 million.
That is above the clause figure, and the clause is the only route that takes the decision out of Dortmund's hands.
Background on the player
Nmecha was born in Hamburg and spent more than a decade in Manchester City's academy. He built his senior reputation at Wolfsburg and then Dortmund.
Anfield Index, quoting TEAMtalk, described him as a versatile, energetic central midfielder who can contribute in both penalty areas.
What it means for bettors
A winter switch looks improbable, so neither Premier League side is expected to add him before the summer, and Dortmund should keep him through the current season.
The rest depends on Liverpool's pursuit of Scott and on whether a club is willing to meet the clause or Dortmund's higher asking price.
Neither club has announced anything, and the material so far is a transfer-interest report rather than a confirmed bid.
Photo: TEAMtalk (all rights reserved)