Boris Johnson is now expected to visit Dublin on either Thursday or Friday following a call with Leo Varadkar this evening, according to reports.
The British Prime Minister spoke by phone with the Taoiseach today, hours after German Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly branded a Brexit deal "overwhelmingly unlikely" weeks out from the October 31 deadline.
That 8am phone call was described as a "clarifying moment" by a Downing Street source, the Mirror reports.
The No10 source said: "The call with Merkel showed the EU has adopted a new position.
"She made clear a deal is overwhelmingly unlikely and she thinks the EU has a veto on us leaving the customs union.
"Merkel said that the PM should tell Northern Ireland that it must stay in full alignment forever, but that even this would not eliminate customs issues."
The move to make a trip to Dublin comes almost exactly a month after Mr Johnson's last trip on August 9.
Sun UK Political Editor Tom Newton Dunn said the call lasted 40 minutes and was described as "constructive".
However Virgin Media News political correspondent Gavan Reilly said no venue or date were yet agreed.
He added that the Taoiseach's spokesman said: "The Taoiseach spoke to Prime Minister Boris Johnson this evening.
"Both sides strongly reiterated their desire to reach a Brexit deal.
"They hope to meet in person later this week."
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