Manchester City are in pole position to sign playmaker Adam Maher from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, amid much Premier League interest.
The 19-year-old has also attracted attention from Arsenal and Chelsea with his eye-catching performances in the Eredivisie in the past two seasons.
City director of football Txiki Begiristain has held talks over a move for Maher and the Netherlands international has been invited to attend a game at the Etihad Stadium.
He is seen as a potential replacement for Samir Nasri, who Goal.com revealed last week could be sold by the Premier League champions if they receive a bid in the region of 18 million pounds.
Maher, who supported Ajax in his childhood, turned down a move to City when they tried to sign him as a youth player.
He is under contract until 2015 and was rewarded for his impressive form with a substantial pay rise in October, as AZ looked to fend off interest from around Europe.
Dutch rivals Ajax and PSV Eindhoven are also battling for Maher s signature and the player has spoken of his preference to remain in the Netherlands at this stage in his career to satisfy his desire for regular football.
PSV had a series of bids rejected during the January transfer window but could be blown out of the water if City or another English side make a firm offer.
Maher has scored 19 goals and provided 16 assists in 84 appearances for AZ since making his debut at the age of 17 in December 2010.
