Casadei: Lazio overtake Torino in race for Chelsea midfielder | OneFootball

Lazio have reportedly taken the driving seat in the race for Chelsea’s Cesare Casadei, as their latest bid makes them favourites to strike a deal with the Premier League giants.

The Bianconcelesti and Torino were said the most interested teams in bringing the former Inter youngster back to Serie A, with the Granata seemingly confident to be closing in on an agreement on Tuesday.

Cesare Casadei of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Conference League match between Chelsea FC and FC Noah at Stamford Bridge on November 7, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Casadei likelier to join Lazio after latest updates in transfer battle with Torino

However, the transfer battle continued with a new and improved bid from Lazio, and according to Tuttomercatoweb they are now much closer than their Serie A rivals to meeting the Blues’ demands.

The Aquile are said to have offered around €12m plus a sell-on set at 10%, which was enough to overtake Torino’s bid.

epa10680563 Cesare Casadei of Italy celebrates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the FIFA U-20 World Cup semifinal soccer match between Italy and South Korea, in La Plata, Argentina, 8 June 2023. EPA-EFE/DEMIAN ALDAY ESTEVEZ

It remains to be seen whether the Granata decide to also improve their proposal, as they look willing to provide coach Paolo Vanoli with a midfield reinforcement. Otherwise, the 22-year-old is expected to join Marco Baroni’s outfit, where he should adapt to the holding midfielder role in the Bianconcelesti’s 4-2-3-1 formation.