Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been calling a highly-rated player in the build up to deadline day as he looks to tempt him with a Stamford Bridge move, according to an intriguing new report.
The west Londoners are prioritising a new attacker as we fast approach this year's summer transfer cut-off, and they've held extensive talks for two stars in particular.
Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho is clamoring for a move to Chelsea, having already told friends that he'll be joining Maresca's side (talkSPORT), and personal terms are believed to be fully agreed.
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons has also agreed terms with Chelsea, but the Bundesliga side and Blues are yet to shake hands on a club-to-club deal, as is also the case with Garnacho.
Chelsea-Garnacho-Maresca
Chelsea-Garnacho-Maresca
If Maresca had to choose one or the other, he'd select Garnacho, as his priority is a winger, but deals for either one of the pair still centre around Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku finding new clubs.
"Some were asking yesterday why we were prioritising Alejandro Garnacho over Simons," wrote journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack.
"This is simply because Enzo Maresca is prioritising a winger over an attacking midfielder. He ideally wants and has asked for both positions, but if he had to chose one or the other, he would chose a winger over an attacking midfielder. Chelsea are still working to bring him both, and Chelsea are still working to bring him Garnacho and Simons. Maresca wants strong wide options and proper wingers.
"We still need to sell Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, but there is still an expectation that both will go."
It isn't simply a case of Simons or Garnacho, either, as credible reports now claim that Chelsea have reached out and contacted the representatives of Barcelona star Fermin Lopez (David Ornstein).
Lopez has become a star at the Camp Nou since Hansi Flick's arrival last year, scoring eight goals and bagging 10 assists in 46 total appearances last year as Barça went on to clinch a domestic treble.
Chelsea-Fermin-Lopez
The Spaniard has emerged as an alternative to Simons if they cannot get a deal done for him, even if the Leipzig ace is still their priority as things stand, although this could change pretty quickly (Simon Phillips).
Chelsea ready to nearly triple Fermin Lopez's salary as Enzo Maresca calls him
According to Spanish news outlet Sport, and journalist Jordi Gil, Chelsea are ready to nearly triple Lopez's current salary if they pivot towards the 21-year-old as their top playmaker target.
Lopez earns around £99,000-per-week in Catelonia right now, but Maresca's side would hand him a contract of around £250,000-per-week in west London - which comes as surprising, given Chelsea aren't known to shatter their wage structure on players.
Fermin Lopez
What's more, Maresca is believed to be personally calling Lopez over a move to Chelsea, so there is serious intent from the tactician to land him, not to mention admiration.
All of this means Lopez is starting to reconsider his future after previously stating he would remain at Barca, and Chelsea are apparently prepared to offer Flick's side around £50 million for his services.
However, they're still some way off the mark, as the La Liga champions are demanding £60 million.