Chelsea have reportedly been told that it will take an offer of €15m (£12.68m) to sign Inter Milan youngster Cesare Casadei.
The Blues are continuing to enjoy an eventful summer transfer window with a number of high-profile additions being made to replace a similar level of outgoings.
At a press conference on Friday, head coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged that Chelsea remain in the hunt for further signings before the start of September.
Tuchel is believed to be alluding to bids to sign a new centre-back, central midfielder and forward with Wesley Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having been heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.
However, the Premier League giants have also been credited with an interest in Casadei, despite the prospect yet to make a first-team outing for Inter.
© Reuters
That may change this summer if Casadei remains at San Siro to work under Simone Inzaghi, but the Italian outfit are seemingly open to a sale as they bid to strengthen their financial position.
If reports are to be believed, Chelsea have already had two bids for the 19-year-old rejected in recent weeks, the West Londoners also facing competition from Nice.
Nevertheless, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have seemingly encouraged Chelsea to make a fresh approach for the Italy Under-19 international.
The report suggests that a bid in the region of £12.7m will be enough to instigate discussions with the player over personal terms.
© Reuters
CEO Giuseppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio are said to be working to engineer the exit of Casadei, despite his obvious potential with regards to a future first-team role.
If Chelsea proceed with a bid to sign Casadei, they will almost certainly not agree to a buy-back clause that Inter may be able to negotiate with Nice.
Sassuolo are also said to be monitoring the situation and would also be willing to discuss inserting a similar option in Casadei's contract.
Should Inter cash in on the talent, it would reduce the need to part ways with another senior player over the coming weeks.
Darren Plant
