Manchester City have become increasingly optimistic of their chances of signing Riyad Mahrez to a club record £60 million ($79.5 million) contract.
The proposed transfer had stalled because Leicester wanted the City winger Patrick Roberts as part of the deal but it is thought that demand has been dropped.
Pep Guardiola turned to Mahrez last January after a deal for Alexis Sanchez fell through as he went to Manchester United.