France and other EU nations have signalled they are willing to begin Brexit trade talks as early as October in a move that opens the door to a climbdown by the EU, The Telegraph has learned.

Senior French diplomats have made clear they want to see the deadlocked Brexit talks make progress in the first sign of splits emerging in the EU.

Under the terms of a proposal set out by France the UK is being encouraged to request a three-year transitional deal if it continues to pay into the EU Budget and accepts EU law.

This position puts Paris at odds with hardliners in Brussels and Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, who are insisting there can be no trade talks until the issue of the Brexit divorce bill is settled.

It represents a significant boost for David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, who on Monday travels to Brussels for face-to-face talks with Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator.