Newcastle United will pocket 40% of Adam Armstrong's fee should his move to a Premier League rival be confirmed in the next few days.
The Magpies, who have monitored their former Academy product's progress at Blackburn Rovers, have not joined the race to sign him this summer.
But are understandably watching on as Crystal Palace and Norwich City lead the chase for his signature.
Chronicle Live understands that while Southampton were interested in Armstrong earlier in the window a bid from the South Coast came last month but was turned down by Rovers.
It is now believed that Rovers are looking to agree a fee to sell him to either Norwich or Palace.
The Canaries were credited with a bid north of £15million which could land Newcastle a fee, due to a sell on clause, of around £6million.
But sources at Ewood Park are suggesting Rovers are holding out for a fee closer to £20million meaning the transfer saga at Blackburn could continue.
That should give Steve Bruce a much-needed boost to his transfer kitty but so far United are yet to spend a penny and the club's hierarchy have adopted a money-saving approach to the summer so far, with Yoshinori Muto, Florian Lejeune and Elias Sorensen all move off the club's wage bill.
Speaking about Armstrong, Blackburn chief Tony Mowbray said: "Adam knows the number.
"Everyone has a valuation and I don't think we are being unrealistic.
"I've said to Adam, if they meet the number he can go.
"We'll shake him by the hand and wish him well, and the football club will move on and hopefully find a replacement that can make the fans forget Adam pretty quickly."
