Man City are reportedly closing in on a £100m move for Jack Grealish - and the Aston Villa star's fondness of Kevin De Bruyne could prove crucial.
The Premier League champions are looking to hammer home their advantage this summer by adding more talent to an already star-studded line-up.
Grealish has been exceptional in the top flight with his performance's earning him England recognition.
Both Manchester clubs have been credited with interest but City are now making moves which could see Grealish become the most expensive Englishman ever.
He would join an attack that features the likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.
But its De Bruyne who is the star of the show and Grealish could not hide his admiration when asked about the Belgian earlier this season.
He told VillaTV: "I'm half starstruck when I play against Kevin de Bruyne because he's my favourite player ever. I think he's unbelievable, I think he's easily the best player in the Premier League at the moment.
"He's someone I personally look up to at the moment and try and, not base my game on him, but try and take stuff from his game and put that into mine."
Interestingly Grealish is equally as admired by De Bruyne.
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The pair are assist kings with their creative flair constantly allowing their team-mates to prosper.
The City star spoke previously about how his England showings were richly deserved following his performances in the Premier League.
"I rate him very highly," said the Belgian. "He’s somebody I mentioned before, talking to the teammates at City, in a random conversation.
"In England they talked about creative problems in midfield, but he brings that to a team. He deserves a shot."
City's chief playmaker is certainly admirer far and wide, but a £100m for Grealish could yet be topped this summer by a swoop for Harry Kane.
The Tottenham striker is looking to leave London and the champions have already tabled a bid for him.
Kane himself has already spoken fondly of De Bruyne during a chat with Gary Neville on The Overlap.
The Englishman claimed playing alongside the 29-year-old would certainly present him with a host of chances to find the net.
"When I watch De Bruyne play he's a special, special player and some of the balls I see him put in for City are just a striker's dream if I'm honest," he said.
"He's an outstanding player with the ball, off the ball, pressing, but his delivery is as good as I've ever seen to be honest."
