Gerard Yepes, a midfielder born in 2002 and developed at Espanyol, became a free agent after leaving Sampdoria on June 30. Empoli, under the management of Guido Pagliuca, is close to signing him despite interest from Frosinone. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club led by Fabrizio Corsi acted swiftly to secure Yepes, making him the closest among the new recruits to don the blue jersey.