Chelsea are growingly increasingly optimistic about signing Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid in the final hours of the transfer window.
The midfielder has fallen down the pecking order in Spain and a loan move is edging closer.
Chelsea would have the option to buy Saul, who is under contract with Atletico until 2026.
The Spaniard came through the ranks at the LaLiga champions but has been linked with a switch to the Premier League.
Atletico added Rodrigo de Paul from Udinese in the summer and that is set to hamper Saul's involvement, reports the Athletic.
Chelsea's chances are bolstered by a willingness from the player to make the move to west London according to the Telegraph.
The 26-year-old was a regular for the Spanish side last term and his quality has long been hailed.
His arrival would further bolster a Chelsea team that are already being tipped as serious title contenders.
Thomas Tuchel has the likes of Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as midfield options, but is still looking to add more star dust.
Saul has played in wider roles during his Atletico career and could play more advanced if need be.
Diego Simeone has made his feelings clear regarding the player.
He told Marca: “Today I told him everything I think and feel, there is not much else. He’s been with us since we came here. We took him out of the academy and helped him achieve everything that he could achieve in his career.
“Now we will see what happens. We know that in football a lot of things can happen.”
Manchester United have been linked with the Spaniard but, if he is to head to England, Stamford Bridge is set to be his destination.
Romelu Lukaku has been Chelsea's only major signing so far this summer.
He returned following seven years away for a club-record £97.5m fee and has already made an instant impact.
Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Sevilla's Jules Kounde, but time is running out.
The Spanish side have a hefty valuation of the centre-half which has not yet been met.
Monchi, the club's sporting director, said: “Jules Koundé has chances to leave the club if some club will pay the release clause. Chelsea made a bid last week but we didn’t like it”
Callum Hudson-Odoi will be staying put despite interest from Borussia Dortmund, who were keen on a loan move.
The winger is on the periphery of the starting XI but does see his long-term future at the Blues.
