Tottenham have opened formal talks with Manchester City over the transfer of Kyle Walker after tying Kieran Trippier down to a new deal, according to reports.
BBC Sport claim on their website that negotiations are underway between the two Premier League clubs to seal a deal that has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months.
It is said that discussions are at an early stage and that no fee for the England international, 27, has been agreed, but the BBC only report transfers when they are at an advanced stage in a clear sign that he is heading for Eithad Stadium.
The report comes after the Times claimed on Thursday night that Tottenham have tied Walker’s Spurs team-mate and fellow right-back Kieran Trippier to a new five-year contract.
There has been no official announcement from the London club but the newspaper state that Trippier, 26, has penned a five-year agreement worth £65,000-a-week.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino appears to have been keen to have wrapped up the deal for Walker’s replacement before sanctioning the exit of the senior man, who has been the club’s premier right-back throughout his three-year reign.
The Times report that White Hart Lane chairman Daniel Levy has told City the asking price for Walker is £40million, which would represent a huge profit on a player signed from Sheffield United for £6million in the summer of 2009.
The defender has made 229 appearances for Tottenham over the last eight years and was named in the PFA Premier League team of the season for 2016/17 as he played a key role in their second-placed finish.
Trippier, who joined from Burnley for £3.5million in the summer of 2015, has made the most of his opportunities when deputising for Walker in the last two seasons and accumulated 22 appearances in all competitions in the last campaign.
Tottenham have not yet made any senior signings, or sold any players this summer, but the reports suggest they have kicked into transfer action.