After a long summer full of twists and turns, we've made it to deadline day, and Chelsea look set to complete some last-minute business.
The Blues have already backed Enzo Maresca and his squad in a big way this window with eye-catching additions like Joao Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.
Yet, with the club set to compete in the Champions League for the first time in years this season, there is a sense that the West Londoners could do with a little more quality in the side.
enzo-maresca-chelsea-premier-league
Fortunately, if reports are to be believed, Chelsea are eyeing a late move for an international gem who has been compared to Lamine Yamal and Bukayo Saka.
Chelsea eye late swoop for Yamal & Saka hybrid
According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are still very interested in Fermin Lopez.
Interestingly, there are several other sides also keen on landing the Barcelona gem, but the West Londoners appear to have the most concrete interest at this point.
The report has revealed that the Catalan giants would be willing to part ways with the 22-year-old for a fee of up to €90m, which is approximately £78m.
While that is a substantial amount, it might well be worth it for a player compared to those of Yamal and Saka.
How Lopez compares to Saka & Yamal
Now, there are several surface-level similarities you can point to between Saka, Yamal, and Lopez, such as all three being young attackers who play for one of the biggest teams in their league - alongside one another in the Spaniards' case.
Fermin Lopez
However, thanks to FBref, we know that there are also some undeniable statistical similarities between them, as according to them, the Englishman has been the seventh most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Barça gem over the last 365 days, and his teammate was the fourth most similar in La Liga last season.
You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which Lopez ranked closely to the two international monsters.
Lopez & Saka
Statistics per 90
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
Non-Penalty G+As
Tackles
Successful Take-On %
Carries into the Final Third
Aerial Duels Won
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Campaign
Interestingly, when it comes to the Gunners' mercurial number seven, the El Campillo-born dynamo ranks closely in things like expected and actual non-penalty goals, tackles, aerial duels won, carries into the final third and more, all per 90.
Yet, when it comes to his club teammate and compatriot, the "spectacular" midfielder, as dubbed by former manager Xavi, ranks similarly in metrics such as key passes, crosses, progressive passes, and other key creative statistics, all per 90.
Lopez & Yamal
Statistics per 90
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
Progressive Passes
Key Passes
Live Passes
Crosses
Tackles
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Campaign
In other words, it looks like the La Masia product could be as much of a goal threat as the North Londoners' talisman, while being as creative and intuitive as the Catalan's Ballon d'Or winner in waiting.
While he still has plenty of developing to do, that sounds like a pretty sensational combination, and when you factor in that he scored eight goals and provided ten assists in 46 appearances, totalling just 2,039 minutes, last season, it becomes clear why Chelsea are so keen to sign him.
Therefore, while it won't be cheap, the Blues should do all they can to bring Lopez to Stamford Bridge before the window slams shut at 7pm this evening.