European champions Paris Saint-Germain are locked in talks with Ligue 1 rivals Monaco hoping to sign the France midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, a source close to the deal told AFP on Monday.
The 24-year-old made his World Cup bow as a substitute a week ago as France thumped Iraq 3-0 and the current talks concern a fee expected to reach around €70 million.
Talks between the two clubs and the player's agents were "going well", the source told AFP.
With 139 games for Monaco and 10 for France the player has been tipped to move to Paris for some weeks, but brushed off questions over a move to the French capital in an interview a week ago.
"I understand why people are asking that question," the attacking midfielder said.
"But right now my focus is on this World Cup. It's the biggest tournament in the world, and I'm delighted to be part of it. We're fully focused on this competition," he said.
France play Sweden in the last 32 on Tuesday and came into the World Cup as one of the leading contenders to win the trophy, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final.