UEFA is considering a major change to the Champions League that could cut the group stage to 16 clubs.

The move is being driven by continental clubs' concerns they are being left behind by huge revenues generated by the Premier League.

Sources at a major Premier League club say the group stage could be split into what would effectively be two mini super-leagues. 

A Uefa spokesperson told the Guardian: “Uefa is in constant contact with all stakeholders, including the clubs, on all football matters. Therefore, any plans to evolve the format of our club competitions would be coordinated and negotiated together with them. There are currently no concrete proposals on the table since we are at the beginning of a new cycle (2015-18) of our club competitions.”

There could also be move knockout rounds before the revamped group phase. 

The top 16 seeds might enter the competition in the last 32, where they would not be able to draw each other. 

The possible move to a larger group format could be seen as a first step towards a European Super League. At the start of the month senior executives from Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, the Premier League’s “big five” met in London to discuss the Champions League with the American sports executive Charlie Stillitano, chairman of Relevent Sports, which organizes of the close season International Champions Cup.