Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei is looking on track to complete a permanent move to Lazio before transformation Deadline after the player's agent posted a hint on social media.
Casadei has struggled for game time this season, appearing primarily in the Conference League, and barely making the team of the match in the Premier League, let alone actually playing.
The young Italian's lack of opportunities was somewhat surprising, given his current relationship with Enzo Maresca from a loan move at Leicester City last season. Then again, it didn't help that £30m summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall commanded meaningful game time either.
There is a proposed £11m switch to Lazio in the works, as actor Francesco Facchinetti took to social media over the weekend to broadcast, without live context, that he was traveling to Rome.
BBC Sport Nizar Kinsella I mentioned that the deal between Chelsea Lazio is “believed to be close”, with a “major sell-on clause” also the subject of discussion. This means that if Casadei and Lazio Cash rise, Chelsea will also make a profit on the player.
Casadei turned 22 earlier this month, but has never played professionally in his home country. The Ravenna-born talent was plucked from Inter's academy ranks by Chelsea in August 2022 when he was still just 18 years old – a deal worth €15 million at the time.
So far, Casadei has made 17 senior appearances for Chelsea, as well as turning 40 times via loans at Reading and Leicester in the last two seasons.
Lazio has performed well, both at home and in Europe, so far in 2024/25. Marco Baroni's side sit in fourth place in Serie A, firmly in contention for Champions League qualification, while leading the way three points atop the Europa League standings with one day remaining.
