Leicester ‘target Chelsea and Italy under-21 star Cesare Casadei in loan deal’ as Enzo Maresca continues to rebuild his Foxes side for their promotion push
Championship team Leicester City are hoping to secure Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei from Chelsea on a loan deal, according to reports.
The Italian under-21 player joined Chelsea for an impressive £17m from Inter Milan in 2022 and spent the last season on loan at Reading.
He recently won the Golden Boot at the 2023 U-20 World Cup after scoring seven goals in the tournament, and has attracted interest from several teams.
According The Telegraphthe Italian midfielder is a ‘Championship wanted player’, with the Foxes taking particular interest in the midfielder.
Following the departure of James Maddison to Tottenham for a £45m fee, Leicester boss Enzo Maresca is hoping young talent like Casadei will help boost the club’s chances of promotion at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Cesare Casadei (left) has reportedly been identified as a potential option for Leicester City
Enzo Maresca’s rebuild of the Championship squad aims for Leicester promotion next season
Another chance to play at the second tier will offer Casadei more opportunities for senior football before a return to Chelsea.
The youngster spent the last season on loan in the Championship with Reading, where he played 15 games in all competitions and scored one goal.
After being relegated at the end of the 2022-23 season, Leicester will be hoping to recoup more than £80m for James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.
Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham are among the clubs that have shown interest in Barnes, the 25-year-old winger.
As well as Maddison’s departure, Leicester also lost Youri Tielemans to Aston Villa, leaving a gap in their midfield ahead of their championship season.
The 20-year-old midfielder has trained under Roberto Mancini at international level and made 15 appearances for Reading in League One last season. Now with the option of
Having been described as a player with ‘great potential’the Foxes are keen to secure a loan deal for the Italian to increase his chances of a return to Premier League football.
Casadei joined Chelsea for £17 million from Inter Milan and recently won the Golden Boot at the Under-20 World Cup
Enzo Maresca previously worked with Pep Guardiola as assistant manager at Man City
Following Brendan Rodgers’ departure from the club in April 2023, Italian manager Enzo Maresca brings a wealth of experience in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League.
Maresca previously worked with Pep Guardiola at treble-winning Manchester City as assistant manager, before moving to struggling Leicester.
The Italian’s rebuild has featured England’s Conor Coady and Tottenham’s Harry Winks, though he is hopeful the loan of fellow Italian Casadei will propel the foxes back into the Premier League.
