Everton are reportedly negotiating a deal for Villarreal forward, Samuel Chukwueze, with manager Frank Lampard seeking a new attacking recruit before the window closes.

What's the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Toffees are 'in talks' regarding a possible loan swoop for the Nigeria international, with the deal potentially set to include an option to buy fee of between £34.3m and £42.9m.

The report suggests that acquiring an additional forward is a top priority for the Merseysiders before Thursday's deadline, with Watford starlet Joao Pedro also believed to be of interest to those at Goodison Park.

The struggling Premier League outfit - who are yet to win a top-flight game this season - have only recently bolstered their forward line with the signing of striker Neal Maupay, although there is still a void to be filled following Richarlison's £60m move to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer.

Own Arjen Robben

As the report outlines, it would represent an almighty coup were Lampard and co able to pull off a deal for the 23-year-old before the window slams shut, with the 24-cap speedster having sparkled during his stint in Spain to date.

The 5 foot 8 winger has scored 25 goals and provided 22 assists in 162 games for the La Liga outfit thus far, notably registering ten goal contributions during the 2021/22 campaign as Unai Emery's side stormed the last four of the Champions League.

The £18m-rated menace notably netted in the 1-1 draw away at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich en route to the semi-final, with that somewhat ironic considering the comparisons that he has earned to a former icon at the Allianz Arena - Arjen Robben.

That likeness - which is drawn from their shared knack for cutting in off the right onto their stronger left foot - has been noted by commentator Babatunde Koiki, who said of the youngster: "The boy is lethal. He is a potential nuclear warhead. And I don't think even he knows just how good he is.

"If I could, I'd hire Arjen Robben as his personal trainer. He has all the attributes to fill the Dutchman's boots. And that is the perfect template for him to build his game."

Chukwueze himself has also previously spoken of his admiration for the iconic Dutchman, with the £31k-per-week wide man stating that the former Chelsea man is his "inspiration" and a player he is keen to learn from.

As attacking players go there are few better talents to be compared to than that of the now-retired 38-year-old, with Robben having enjoyed a glittering career at some of Europe's elite clubs, scoring 209 goals and providing 165 games in 614 club career games in total.

With 37 goals and 34 assists also to his name in 96 games for his country, the one-time Real Madrid ace was a true master of his craft, honing a knack for bamboozling defenders despite the opposition being fully aware of what he intended to do.

An almost unstoppable asset on his left foot, the tricky, dynamic forward is certainly a player to be admired, with those on Merseyside likely to be in for a treat if Chukwueze can get anywhere close to reaching such heights.