Chelsea are reportedly expected to reject any loan bids from Championship clubs for Cesare Casadei.
Last summer, the Blues pushed through a €20m deal, including add-ons, for the midfielder, despite him having never represented the Inter Milan first team.
Casadei spent the first half of the season in the Under-21 setup before being loaned out to Reading, where he was provided with 15 appearances in the second tier of English football.
Aside from a well-taken goal against Blackburn Rovers, Casadei did not necessarily make a notable impact with the Royals, and a similar loan period for 2023-24 was expected ahead of the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino.
However, the trajectory of the 20-year-old's development has since changed, with Casadei guiding Italy to the Under-20 World Cup final and earning both the top goalscorer and best player of the tournament accolades.
© Reuters
As it stands, there is a desire for Pochettino to assess Casadei during pre-season in the event that it is deemed that he can become a part of his first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.
Nevertheless, a loan departure still remains the most likely outcome, and it was reported earlier this week that Leicester City - now managed by Italian Enzo Maresca - were keen on securing his services for the upcoming campaign.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a further three teams from the Championship are interested in handing Casadei a key role in their squads.
That said, Romano says that Chelsea officials are currently contemplating opportunities for Casadei in the Premier League or Serie A.
© Reuters
Recently, it was suggested that Juventus are admirers of Casadei, but Chelsea would only consider a straight loan deal if they were to do business with the Italian giants.
The West Londoners are said to view Casadei as a key part of their future project, with the assumption being that a solid campaign in a top-tier league would lead to a promotion to the Chelsea senior ranks in 2024-25.
Casadei still has five years remaining on his contract, while Chelsea are already in a position where they will raise well in excess of £200m through player sales this summer.
Pochettino is in a position where he requires fresh faces for midfield, though, with Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher currently the solitary senior options on the basis that Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mason Mount join AC Milan and Manchester United as expected.
Chelsea are interested in securing a deal for Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, while Pochettino could also look to Carney Chukwuemeka and Andrey Santos.
Darren Plant
