Lazio edge closer to Casadei agreement with Chelsea | OneFootball

Sky Sport Italia report that Lazio are closing the gap with Chelsea for Cesare Casadei, hoping to beat Torino with the inclusion of performance-related bonuses.

The midfielder is looking for a return to Italian football after struggling for playing time in loan spells at Reading FC and Leicester City, then back to Stamford Bridge this season.

According to transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio, Torino had proposed a deal worth €9m plus bonuses including a 40 per cent cut of the future sale fee.

Lazio fight Torino for Casadei deal

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Cesare Casadei of Chelsea takes to the field during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Chelsea FC at Bramall Lane on April 07, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

However, Lazio held new negotiations over the last few days and believe they have closed the gap from demand and offer to just €2m.

That could be bridged with the inclusion of add-ons and performance-related bonuses, specifically €13m plus €2m in extras.

Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà had already noted earlier this week that Casadei had a preference for Lazio, feeling they could give him a better chance of getting into the senior Italy squad.

An Inter academy youth product, Chelsea paid €14.86m plus up to €5m in add-ons to sign him in the summer of 2022.