Manchester City are chasing Crewe Alexandra youngster Dan Smith.
City were understood to have made a previous bid for Smith, but Crewe are reluctant to part with the midfielder they believe is destined for the first team, say The Sentinel.
The Madeley High School pupil recently made his England under-17s debut, despite still being a year off joining the club's trainee ranks.
"We'd have a complication looking at City now as a club we can get loan players off with them trying to sign one of our young players," Crewe boss Dario Gradi said.
