Porto Join Lazio & Torino in Race for Out-of-Favor Chelsea Midfielder | OneFootball

Portuguese heavyweights Porto have reportedly joined Lazio and Torino in the race for outgoing Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei. According to famous journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the former Primeira Liga champions inquired about the Italian midfielder’s availability on Tuesday.

Despite joining Chelsea from Inter as one of Italy’s brightest prospects, Casadei’s career at Stamford Bridge has never taken off. Indeed, he has never had a proper chance to showcase his potential in the Premier League and could leave West London toward the end of January.

Lazio and Torino were reportedly in pole position to bring the 22-year-old back to Serie A this winter. However, Porto could spoil their plans after establishing formal contact with Chelsea for the Inter academy graduate. Indeed, they’re eager to take Casadei to the Iberian Peninsula.

Chelsea splashed out €15 million to sign Casadei in the summer of 2022. Deemed surplus to requirements only two years on, the versatile midfielder was expected to return to his homeland. Yet, Porto’s interference threatens to undermine Lazio and Torino’s plans.

In all fairness, Lazio have seemingly pulled the plug on their pursuit of Casadei and switched their attention to Giovanni Fabbian. Under contract with Bologna, the Italian midfielder has a buyback clause in Inter’s favor that will come into effect in the summer.

With Lazio probably out of the picture, Torino could be Casadei’s best chance to re-embrace Italian football. The Granata could soon lose Samuele Ricci to Milan, which would amplify the need for another skilled midfielder.