Barcelona have made an offer in the region of £70m for Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, with a deal understood to be close.
The two clubs are in advanced talks over a transfer for the England international, with the Spanish side in line to beat Bayern Munich to his signature.
Newcastle have been holding out for an offer in excess of £75m, but talks are now centred on the structure of the deal, with Barcelona keen to spread the payment.
Personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe (left) and Anthony Gordon
Image: Gordon missed the final six games of Newcastle's season
Gordon, who finished as Newcastle's top goalscorer with 18 goals, signed a long-term extension at St James' Park in October 2024 and has four years remaining on that deal.
But the former Everton winger was an unused sub in Newcastle's last four games, as the club sought to protect him ahead of an expected summer move.
Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson had told reporters earlier this year that the club may have to sell to buy big this summer.
Sky Sports News reported earlier this month Bayern Munich were keen on adding Gordon to an attacking roster that already includes England captain Harry Kane, along with former Premier League players Michael Olise and Luis Diaz.
But Barcelona are now in pole position to seal the transfer before the World Cup.
'Barca set to usurp Bayern'
Analysis from Sky Sports News' Keith Downie:
"It would now appear that Barcelona are set to usurp Bayern and are close to landing Gordon.
"The offer of £70m plus bonuses has yet to be accepted but talks are advanced and a deal is close.
"What is crucial is the structure of the deal. Barcelona can't give Newcastle £70m up front; they are looking for a deal structured over four or five years. It needs to be acceptable to Newcastle and workable to Barcelona but the clubs are close to reaching an agreement.
"Newcastle have been braced for offers for Gordon in this window for a while now. His numbers - goals and goal involvements - in the Champions League are why big clubs have taken notice.
"But they want to get a deal done early in case Gordon gets injured at the World Cup."
If Gordon comes in, what happens to Rashford?
Sky Sports' Callum Bishop:
"It seemed for a long time that if Gordon was going to go anywhere, it would be Bayern to add to an attacking line-up that was already filled with Premier League experience.
"Now Barcelona are in pole position, it also begs the question of what happens with Marcus Rashford's future.
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"The Manchester United loanee has already made it clear that he wants to remain at Barcelona next season, and is believed to be willing to take a pay cut to make that happen.
"United don't want to negotiate another loan deal and believe the £26m option price is more than fair.
"Could Rashford be playing for more than England glory at the World Cup? He might also be playing to convince Hansi Flick and the rest of the Barcelona hierarchy."