England manager Gareth Southgate has checked on whether the Democratic Republic of Congo have a genuine chance of persuading Aaron Wan-Bissaka to switch international allegiances.
Southgate, who picked up his OBE at Buckingham Palace, is understood to have made discreet enquiries regarding how seriously the Crystal Palace defender is taking the interest from the African nation.
Southgate is convinced Wan-Bissaka has a big future with the senior set-up but is wary of losing the youngster if he continues to delay his the right-back's promotion from the Under-21 set-up.
But with right-backs Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold currently in Southgate's squad, the England boss knows he has to drop one in order to draft Wan-Bissaka into his plans.
Nevertheless, it appears that is a case of when rather than if the 21-year-old breaks into the senior set-up.
Wan-Bissaka is likely to be included in Aidy Bothroyd's squad for the European Under-21 Championships this summer.
But the Eagles defender is now applying huge pressure on the trio of right-back's currently ahead of him.
Alexander-Arnold's emergence - particularly his ability from dead ball situations - will see the Liverpool star become a fixture in Southgate's squad, especially given he is 20-years-old.
At 28, it remains to be seen whether Walker, currently England's first-choice right-back, will maintain his position by the time World Cup 2022 comes around.
Trippier could be the man likely to be put under the most pressure by Wan-Bissaka's emergence.
The Tottenham man played a key role for England during last summer's euphoric World Cup and has been an integral part of Southgate's reign.
But he has suffered a loss of form this season and was one of only two outfield players not to play a single minute during the recent Euro 2020 double header against Czech Republic and Montenegro.
Southgate wants to show loyalty to those who have played such a massive role in helping transform England's fortunes, but he has shown already he has no qualms in drafting promising young players - like Wan-Bissaka - into his plans.
Meanwhile, England have climbed one place to fourth in FIFA's latest world rankings. Belgium are first, France second with Brazil third.