Manchester United have opened talks with Norwich City in a potential summer transfer move for Max Aarons, according to Italian publication CalcioMercato.
They claim that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is willing to let youngster Diogo Dalot - currently on loan at Italian giants A.C. Milan - leave permanently at the end of the season, and the Norwegian has begun sighting new competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Kieran Trippier of Atletico Madrid is also apparently on the radar, but Aarons is the other option.
The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the EFL, and despite the Canaries being relegated from the Premier League last season, Aarons was widely praised for his abilities as a flying full-back.
His good performances have continued into the current campaign - he has played every single minute in the Championship and his partnership down the right-hand side of the pitch with Emi Buendia is too much for most defences in the second tier to handle.
Aarons put all talk of a potential move to Barcelona in the summer of 2020 behind him and he's helped guide Norwich to the top of the Championship as they seek an immediate return to the top flight.
Even if they do get back at the first time of asking, Aarons may not be around to see the new season as several clubs circle.
United aren't the only ones to express an interest, with Tottenham Hotspur eyeing the Englishman up as a replacement for Serge Aurier, according to Eurosport.
And if Aarons keeps his performances up until the end of the season, there's bound to be more interest and an auction for his signature.
The Verdict
Aarons isn't going to come cheap to any potential suitor, with Norwich proving they can get a very good fee for their players even when a Championship club when they sold Ben Godfrey to Everton for upwards of £20 million.
Getting back to the Premier League will strengthen their hand, but it still may not be enough to keep Aarons at Carrow Road - the temptation of moving to a top European-contending club will no doubt be a head-turner.
It does seem almost inevitable that Aarons will be at a big club next season, but it's now a matter of 'who', not 'when'.