Chelsea 'optimistic' over 'low-cost' deal with European giants

Tom Weber

Updated: 23 Dec 2024 11:44 CST
4 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Lazio are 'optimistic' about striking a deal with Chelsea for Cesare Casadei, according to Italian media.

The Blues midfielder is struggling for minutes and on the way out in January. Despite several promising loan stints and a convincing talk with Enzo Maresca in the summer, Casadei has failed to break into his compatriot's team.

Article continues under the video

The young Italian is, therefore, looking to secure a winter move away and a return to his home country appears to be the most likely outcome for the former Inter prospect.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the 21-year-old is desperate to get regular minutes somewhere and that an exit from Stamford Bridge is a question of when not if.

A host of Serie A sides have been linked with Casadei, from domestic giants AC Milan all the way to AC Monza, currently rooted to the bottom of the table.

Lazio in Casadei talks

However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, it is now Lazio who appear to have a good chance of landing Casadei's signature. Matias Vecino could be out injured for up to two months, leaving coach Marco Baroni short of midfield options.

One problem at present is, however, that Lazio do not currently have the space in their squad to accommodate another big-name or foreign player, which means that they are targeting a 'low-cost' U22 option or someone developed by the club.

This has prompted them to home in on U22 option Casadei and 26-year-old Napoli midfielder Michael Folorunsho, who came through Lazio's academy and who has barely played under Antonio Conte this term.

Coach Baroni previously worked with Folorunsho at Hellas Verona and is keen to reunite with him, but the fact that the two clubs could not reach an agreement over the midfielder in the summer means that a January move is anything but a foregone conclusion.

Regarding Casadei, it is claimed that there is 'optimism' over a potential deal, but here too talks may not be entirely straightforward. Lazio are looking for an initial loan and Chelsea would sanction this, but the Premier League giants are determined to include a purchase obligation in the deal.