Chelsea midfielder's agent drops huge hint over January exit | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei looks on course to complete a permanent transfer to Lazio before the transfer deadline after the player's agent posted a telling hint on social media.

Casadei has struggled for game time this season, featuring primarily in the Conference League and barely even making matchday squad in the Premier League, let alone actually playing.

The lack of chances for the young Italian has been somewhat surprising, given his existing relationship with Enzo Maresca from a loan at Leicester City last season. Then again, that hasn't helped £30m summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall command meaningful game time either.

A proposed £11m switch to Lazio is in the works, with representative Francesco Facchinetti taking to social media over the weekend to broadcast, without direct context, that he was travelling to Rome.

Casadei has mainly appeared in the Conference League this season / Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages

BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella has reported that a deal between Chelsea and Lazio is "believed to be close", with a "substantial sell-on clause" also the subject of discussion. It means that if Casadei soars and Lazio cash in, Chelsea also stand to still 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 only 18 years of age – a deal that was worth an initial €15m at the time.

To date, Casadei has made 17 senior appearances for Chelsea, as well as turning out 40 times across loans at Reading and Leicester in the last couple of seasons.

Lazio are performing well, both at home and in Europe, so far in 2024/25. Marco Baroni's team sit fourth in Serie A, firmly in contention for Champions League qualification, while they lead the way three points clear atop the Europa League standings with one matchday remaining.