Report: Enzo Maresca is now open to selling 'physically strong' Chelsea midfielder for just £16m
01/05/2025 03:55 AM
Chelsea and Enzo Maresca are keen to start raising money through player sales and have identified a player who they are open to letting leave in January.
Maresca’s side have suffered a bit of a wobble in recent weeks having now dropped points in each of their last last four matches.
But the Blues look set to be relatively quiet in terms of incoming this month with reducing the size of their squad seemingly the priority for the winter window.
Chelsea want £16m to sell Cesare Casadei
Negotiations between Torino and Chelsea for Cesare Casadei are continuing with the Italian club very keen to land him, according to Gianluca DiMarzio.
The Turin-based club are making a strong push to sign the midfielder and have so far offered almost £10 million plus a future sell-on fee. Chelsea have asked for a total package of £16.6 million with a buy-back option for the former Inter midfielder in their favour.
There is currently a gap in valuation between the two clubs, however, new contacts are expected on Tuesday next week. Both clubs seem hopeful of reaching an agreement and will try to find a middle ground. Casadei has already approved a move to Torino.
What Enzo Maresca has said about Cesare Casadei
Enzo Maresca has spoken highly of Casadei during his time in West London, however, he hasn’t handed his compatriot many opportunities at Stamford Bridge.
The midfielder is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season and has been limited to five Conference League matches and one EFL Cup game.
The Italian manager signed Casadei on loan at Leicester last term, but after making just eight starts in the Championship, he returned to Chelsea in January.
Speaking after the Conference League win over Gent, Maresca told the media: “This year, we are using him like a holding midfielder. The reason why is because I think we go in the direction where the middle you need physical players. Cesare is very big, physically strong and helps us when we want to press.”
