Chelsea and Torino in advanced talks over loan deal for fringe midfielder
Negotiations between Chelsea and Torino over Cesare Casadei’s loan switch to Serie A are reportedly in advanced stages.
According to the Evening Standard, the clubs are yet to find common ground, but talks are proceeding in good faith.
Casadei, who joined the Blues from Inter Milan in the summer of 2022 for a reported fee of €15 million, has never settled in West London.
Despite putting pen to paper on a six-year contract and arriving with plenty of promise, the 21-year-old’s career at Stamford Bridge has never taken off.
Yet to make a Premier League appearance under Enzo Maresca, Casadei collected six outings between the UEFA Europa Conference League and FA Cup.
Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia have all been ahead of him in the pecking order.
Out of favour in the capital, the Italian midfielder could be among the several fringe stars to leave Chelsea in the winter transfer window, with Torino eager to onboard him in the coming days.
Chelsea hoped to aid Casadei’s adaptation to English football by sending him out on loan to Leicester City in the summer of 2023.
The talented midfielder had hit the ground running at the King Power Stadium in the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, convincing Chelsea to recall him last January.
However, his development has since hit the pause button.
Determined to get his stuttering career back on track, Casadei could see Torino’s interest as a decent opportunity to secure regular first-team football.
Paolo Vanoli’s short-handed in the engine room despite recently welcoming standout performer Ivan Ilic back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
On top of that, Torino could soon wave goodbye to Samuele Ricci.
Ricci has been the mainstay of Granata’s midfield, yet his skills are in high demand, with AC Milan and Manchester City vying for his signature.
Torino would ideally keep hold of the 23-year-old for the rest of the season, but that may be impossible.
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