Lazio & Chelsea Agree on Payment Formula as Midfielder Edges Closer to Italy Return | OneFootball

Lazio are reportedly making significant strides in their attempts to sign Cesare Casadei from Chelsea before the end of January.

Lazio Closing in on Agreement with Chelsea for Cesare Casadei

According to Alfredo Pedulla, the Biancocelesti have identified the 22-year-old as their primary target to enhance the middle of the park since last week when they held positive talks with one of his agents in Rome, thus usurping Jacopo Fazzini and Reda Belahyane in the pecking order.

The Italian journalist also rubbishes rumors (mainly from his colleague Gianluca Di Marzio) claiming Torino are in the lead for Casadei, insisting that the Granata are still trailing behind Lazio after failing to improve their offer.

Significant Breakthrough

As Pedulla explains, Chelsea have agreed to split their €15 million asking price between a fixed sum of €13 million and €2 million in bonuses as requested by Lazio, which is an important step in the negotiations between the two clubs. The agreement should also include a sell-on fee in favor of the Blues.

Lazio Optimistic about Casadei

Therefore, the Aquile are now confident they can seal the deal in the next couple of days and bring the Italy U21 starlet back to his home country. Casadei started his career at Cesena and then cemented himself as one of the brightest talents of his generation while representing Inter’s Primavera.

The midfielder signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2022 and had a positive loan stint at Leicester City during the first half of the previous campaign under the guidance of Enzo Marseca. However, the manager is now spoilt for choice at Chelsea, so Casadei has been reduced to an afterthought.