Stage: loose rumour. The national press has carried the story. The link is speculative for now. The same rumour keeps coming back. The talk has begun to distract him.
Stage: negotiations are opening. Briefings from the interested club leaked. The link is speculative for now. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. The talk has begun to distract him.
Stage: the player rejected the terms. Briefings from the interested club leaked. The link is speculative for now. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. The talk has begun to distract him.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. The link is speculative for now. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. The talk has begun to distract him.