Manchester City have reportedly pushed ahead with a formal £55m bid for Gremio forward Everton Soares.
The 22-year-old, first linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium last year, has scored 10 goals in 27 appearances this term.
ESPN claims that City have followed up their initial interest by tabling an offer for the Brazil international, seeing them steal a march on rivals Manchester United.
Everton has fuelled suggestions that he is on his way out of Gremio by unfollowing his current club on Instagram and changing his photo, which originally showed him wearing the Brazilian club's kit.
However, the player's representatives have since taken the blame for the social media mishap, insisting that they were cleaning his online accounts and accidentally unfollowed Gremio.
City boss Pep Guardiola revealed this week that a holding midfielder and a left-back are being targeted ahead of next season.
Daniel Lewis
