Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater has submitted a transfer request as he tries to force through a move to Chelsea, sources close to the Foxes have told ESPN FC.
Chelsea have been targeting Drinkwater and want to bring him to Stamford Bridge before Thursday's deadline.
On Wednesday morning, Sky Sports broke news of the transfer request but said it would take "an exceptional offer" for the midfielder to be sold.
Leicester are reported to be holding out for a fee in the region of £40 million for Drinkwater, with Chelsea hoping to sign him for £30m.
The two clubs are in talks over a fee, with Chelsea confident of striking a deal as boss Antonio Conte looks to renew the partnership between Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante that helped Leicester win the Premier League.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Drinkwater is interested but that Leicester had not told him he would have to hand in a transfer request in order to spark a move.