By Elliot Foster

Terry Flanagan has put British boxing fans on high alert after revealing that a deal is close for him to fight in a unification showdown.

The undefeated WBO lightweight champion, 28, has been crying out for a big fight since winning the world title back in 2015.

Flanagan (33-0, 13 KOs) has made five defences of his crown, most recently against Petr Petrov in Manchester back in April, and has campaigned for an even bigger step up ever since.

Jorge Linares, the WBA champion, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine champion, has long been high on Flanagan’s list, having boxed his Mancunian lightweight rival and former WBA champion Anthony Crolla –– and that’s a fight that has been sought after by the public.

Now, after a long time of asking, it looks like the fans could finally have their wish.

‘Turbo’ took to social media on Monday to claim that a deal to face the Venezuelan is “all but done” in a reply to Mikey Garcia.

Garcia, who has won world titles in three different weight divisions and currently holds the full version of the WBC belt, questioned the willingness of Flanagan to fight the best.

And in offering a response, Flanagan also appeared to suggest that he had been offered the opportunity to face Garcia in what would also be a unification.

“I'm aware your team have made mine an offer,” Flanagan tweeted to Garcia. “However, I have to take care of [Jorge Linares] first, the deal is all but done.”

Further details regarding the potential mouthwatering clash will be revealed in due course –– but it remains to be seen whether Flanagan can secure the money-making unification he has so craved.

Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez had told BoxingScene.com a few weeks ago that his company would be looking to finalize a Linares vs. Flanagan unification.