CHELSEA are closing in on the £12million transfer of Inter Milan wonderkid Cesare Casadei, according to reports.
The Blues have had two offers rejected for the 19-year-old midfielder.
But the Guardian report they will go back in with a third bid they feel confident should be enough for a player who is still yet to make a senior appearance for cash-strapped Inter.
And a deal may well get completed as early as this week.
However, Chelsea face competition from Nice for the rising star’s signature.
Thomas Tuchel has plenty of options in midfield plus is still chasing Frenkie de Jong.
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So Casadei could be placed into the development squad or sent back to Serie A on loan.
The 6ft 1in ace was recently talked up by Italian national team coach Maurizio Viscidi as one to keep an eye on.
The 62-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport he was particularly impressed by his attacking qualities in the box – which he rates better than current Italy international Nicola Barella and Davide Frattesi.
The goalscoring talent notched 16 goals for the Inter youth team from the middle of the park – and was crowned their young player of the year.
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However, the Italy Under-19 international – who has three goals in ten caps – is yet to make the breakthrough into the senior side at the San Siro under Simone Inzaghi.
Casadei would be the latest teenager to make the move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Highly-rated Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka signed for £20m while goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, 18, joined from Chicago Fire.
And the Guardian report adds they still hope to add Palmeiras’ Endrick before the end of the transfer window on September 1.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
