'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Serie A giants AC Milan have been linked with a move for 21-year-old Chelsea star Cesare Casadei. According to a report from Milan Live, the seven-time Champions League winners are plotting a move for the young Italian midfielder in the winter transfer window.
Casadei enjoyed an impressive campaign in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023, bagging seven goals and two assists in seven games in Italy's run to the final. Although they lost 1-0 to Uruguay, his individual performances that helped him to both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball convinced Chelsea to sign him from AC's rivals Inter Milan for a reported £12.6 million fee plus £4.2 million in potential add-ons.
The youngster spent the first half of the 2022-23 campaign on the bench before being sent to Reading on loan for six months. After a solid spell at Reading, he went back to the EFL Championship, joining Leicester City for the 2023-24 campaign.
Casadei helped the Foxes win the league title and get promoted to the top flight, making 25 appearances across all competitions. However, he has failed to move up the pecking order at Chelsea, resulting in a lack of game time.
He was linked with a departure in the summer but ended up staying at Stamford Bridge. He played the full 90 minutes in the Blues' 5-0 win over Barrow in the EFL Cup, but is unlikely to have a big role in the squad moving forward.
Milan have had great success with Chelsea players in the past, with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek becoming important squad players for the Rossoneri. If they do come calling, there is a possibility that Casadei could depart for the San Siro in January.
Chelsea seeking fee of €15 million or higher to part with Cesare Casadei, won't allow loan in January - Reports
According to a report from Milan Live, Chelsea will be looking for a fee upwards of €15 million to allow Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei to depart in January. The report also claims that the Blues have no interest in letting the 21-year-old depart on a loan transfer.
Casadei was believed to be part of the 'bomb squad' at Stamford Bridge that includes the likes of Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka. The players in the 'bomb squad' were reportedly out of manager Enzo Maresca's plans at the club, and would be sold or kept in the reserves through the season.
However, the 44-year-old surprised many fans and pundits when he named Casadei in his lineup to take on Barrow in the EFL Cup. The youngster even showcased his talent, delivering a solid performance in the comfortable 5-0 win.
AC Milan have already shown interest in bringing the player into their squad in the winter transfer window. Will they match Chelsea's demand? Only time will tell.
