Sheffield United have seen a £7million approach for Will Smallbone knocked back by Southampton.
The newly-promoted Blades are lining up midfield reinforcements of their own with Sander Berge closing in on a move to Burnley.
And Irishman Smallbone, 23, is one of the players they have targeted and talks are continuing between the clubs after Sheffield United saw their opening offer rejected.
Smallbone is a product of Southampton's academy and spent last season on loan at Stoke.
He returned to Southampton this summer, shone in pre-season and continued his form into their Championship opener at Sheffield Wednesday.
Smallbone impressed with his passing range and accuracy while he has caught the eye of his admirers with the amount of running he gets through during games.
Mail Sport reported last month that Southampton were braced for offers with Luton, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth plus sides in the Championship monitoring Smallbone.
Smallbone has a year left on his Southampton contract but they are keen to keep him following his displays since returning from his loan spell.