Leicester City transfer news from LeicestershireLive as Enzo Maresca looks to secure the services of Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei on loan
Leicester City are said to be stepping up their efforts to secure the services of Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei.
Casadei has emerged as a loan target for the Foxes as they prepare for their 2023/24 Championship campaign, which kicks off against Coventry City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
New City boss Enzo Maresca is apparently keen to bring in fellow Italian Casadei as he rebuilds the squad following the big-names departures of James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes. It was previously reported that the Italy Under-20 international was likely to be loaned out to a Premier League club but Leicester could offer him valuable experience in the second tier.
Casadei has been with Chelsea during their pre-season tour of the United States. And during this summer’s U20 World Cup, he scored seven goals in seven games as he helped Italy reach the final of the competition. He was also named as player of the tournament.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s pre-season fixture against Borussia Dortmund, Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that some of the younger players on the US tour could go out on loan. “When we finish the tour, we are going to sit, we are already working with the sporting directors, with Paul and Laurence, sharing ideas and we can see how we define the squad,” he said. “They have the possibility, maybe they go on loan, at the moment, nothing is closed.”
Now transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the situation. He tweeted: “Leicester will insist in the next hours and days to get the final green light from Chelsea on Cesare Casadei loan deal.
“Italian head coach Enzo Maresca considers Casadei one of the priority targets.”
If the transfer does happen, Casadei would be the sixth new arrival of the summer transfer window following the signings of Harry Winks, Conor Coady, Callum Doyle, Mads Hermansen and Stephy Mavididi.
