Tottenham have held talks with an in-form star over personal terms and outlined their project to him, with the 'crazy' race for his signature poised to take further shape.
Spurs are staring down the barrel of another wasted campaign unless they act decisively when the January transfer window opens.
Thomas Frank's side sit miles off the pace in the Premier League with their European ambitions also looking increasingly fragile, having won just one of their last seven matches.
The numbers tell a damning story.
Spurs have dropped points in matches they should have controlled and looked painfully short of quality in key areas. Frank inherited a squad with glaring weaknesses, and those deficiencies have been brutally exposed throughout the first half of the season.
Pressure has mounted on the Dane this week after their 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest last weekend, with the Lilywhites believed to be making contingency plans in the event they need to sack Frank.
The left wing remains a gaping hole in the starting eleven, and Frank has been forced into makeshift solutions week after week. It's cost them goals, points and momentum at crucial moments.
Much has been made of their lack of creativity in the final third, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo being eyed up as a potential solution.
The Ghana international, similar to last season, has stood out as one of the Premier League's most potent attacking threats, and his £65 million release clause has tempted elite clubs across the division.
Man City, Man United, Liverpool and Spurs are all believed to be contending for Semenyo before his clause expires on January 10, with reliable journalist Mark Douglas and his colleague Pete Hall sharing an update today.
Tottenham hold talks with Antoine Semenyo over personal terms
According to Douglas and Hall, in a piece for inews, all four clubs have 'formally' held talks with the 25-year-old about personal terms whilst sharing their overall first-team plans for Semenyo as well.
In what is described as a 'crazy market' race, the English quartet all have a chance, but some more than others.
According to this inews report, United are now seen as the frontrunners for Semenyo, and Spurs are seen as 'outside' contenders with Liverpool and City.
That being said, the north Londoners still aren't ruled out completely, but their odds have just dropped for a reason that isn't entirely disclosed.
The winger has been called 'world-class' for his recent form in England, so much so that his £65m clause is clearly seen as an unmissable opportunity next month.
"He is incredible, he shows it every game now," teammate Justin Kluivert, speaking to Sky Sports, said of Semenyo.
"He is just world-class. We are glad to have him and that is why I said we have a good team. He is the one that scores goals for us and we appreciate that. He's doing an amazing job."
Semenyo's clause was due to drop to around £55 million in the summer, though United, City, Liverpool and Spurs are now forced to contend for him now as they all vie for his signature.
If Tottenham miss out on the former Bristol City star, they do have alternatives for the left-wing.