Liverpool have made their move for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Anfield chiefs' direct enquiry to Arsenal represents the first step in trying to pull off a remarkable transfer coup for the £25million-rated England international.
And although the Gunners rebuffed that first approach, they could be ready to sell Oxlade-Chamberlain as his contract talks have ground to a frustrating halt.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is a known long-time admirer, and wants the 23-year-old in his squad. Manchester City and Chelsea are also watching developments closely, but the Reds are trying to steal a march on their Premier League rivals.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has one year left on his current deal and while discussions about an extension has begun, there has not been much progress.
There is now a growing feeling the midfielder’s future may lie elsewhere, which would be a huge blow to Arsenal.
They are keen to tie down Oxlade-Chamberlain and star duo Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to new deals, but none of the three is close to agreeing terms.
Man City and Bayern Munich both want striker Sanchez, while midfielder Ozil could run down his contract which expires next summer, and leave on a big-money free transfer.
Arsenal will be anxious that does not also happen with Oxlade-Chamberlain, which increases the likelihood of him leaving in the present transfer window, and they gave Liverpool little encouragement when the approach was made.
Relations between the two clubs over transfers have been frosty since the Londoners' botched attempt to sign Reds hero Luis Suarez in 2013.
It was even reported that Liverpool inserted a clause in Roberto Firmino’s contract which prevents him joining the Gunners — even if they match his buy-out clause.
Yet if the Reds come up with the best price and it is clear that Oxlade-Chamberlain will not re-sign, then Arsenal could be forced into selling the former Southampton starlet.
They have been trying to do a raft of contract negotiations, with the likes of midfielder Jack Wilshere, left-back Kieran Gibbs and reserve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny all having one year left.