The speculation, which in recent weeks was labelled as a rumour, has kicked up a gear on Thursday at the San Marino Grand Prix, with some media outlets even writing that Marquez has already decided to quit his Honda contract a year early.
Speedweek, a Red Bull-owned publication, claimed that Marquez will join Gresini with his brother, Alex, as team-mate, and with the energy drink brand as one of the main sponsors.
The possibility of Marquez ending up in the Faenza-based team is real, and that's not new.
However, Autosport understands that it is much more complicated to get this deal over the line.
Neither Repsol nor Estrella Galicia, the other two brands that accompany Marquez, have agreed escape clauses with Honda.
Marquez has asked the Japanese manufacturer to present him with a plan for hiring technical specialists in the key areas of today's bikes (aerodynamics, electronics), and Alberto Puig is working on that list.
The ex-racer has a week to convince those he thinks are the best additions and, once the list is ready, he will present it to Marquez.
ANALYSIS: The signs suggesting Marquez is considering a Honda MotoGP contract break
Neither the eight-time world champion, nor those responsible for HRC, are confident that the RC213V prototype that the Catalan will test on Monday at Misano, and which is the basis of the 2024 prototype, will represent the change of concept that he has been demanding for some time.
In fact, the engine of that bike will not be different from the one that has been used on the bikes so far this season.
That same 2024 machine is the one that Stefan Bradl, the brand's tester, will be riding as early as Friday.
Source: Autosport