Really. Thought it was more often than not that a club will not let you speak to their player until you've agreed a deal with them. Seems a pointless exercise to agree terms with a player and their club then decides the price!
That's the norm now mate. Majority of clubs give their player the chance to speak to the buying club before the cash is months table.
The rules are rarely followed. Players can force moves so agents often agree terms in principle first