Chelsea transfer news: Serie A clubs 'interested' in out-of-favour midfielder

Despite having never made a senior appearance for Inter Milan, Casadei was purchased for a fee in the region of €20m in 2022.

The hope had been that the prospect would develop into a first-team player at Stamford Bridge, helped by loan spells elsewhere.

There can be no complaints with the amount of football that he managed to earn in the Championship, making a combined total of 21 starts and 16 substitute outings for Reading and Leicester City.

However, upon his return to Chelsea in January, Casadei would be limited to 11 substitute appearances in the Premier League, albeit contributing to some important victories.

Casadei fails to convince Maresca?

With the 21-year-old having worked with Italian compatriot Enzo Maresca at Leicester, the expectation had been that he would be kept in the first-team squad.

Instead, it was revealed on Monday evening that the Italy Under-21 international had not been handed a place in the 28-player squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

Realistically, that has left Casadei with no immediate future at the West Londoners, yet it appears that he has admirers in his signature back in his homeland.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Napoli hold an interest in getting a deal over the line for Casadei in the coming weeks.

While it is suggested that Casadei is one of several names on the shortlist of Antonio Conte, there is the possibility of a deal being negotiated with Chelsea.

A separate report in Sky Sport Italia claims that Fiorentina are also eager to secure the acquisition of Casadei in time for the new season.

Would Chelsea consider a permanent exit?

With Casadei holding a contract until 2028, Chelsea do not have to be in a rush to make any concrete decisions over the player's future.

That said, if an opportunity arises to generate a fee of at least £16m, which would equate to getting their money back, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital realistically would not turn it down.

Chelsea are stacked with central midfielders and an immediate sale would see them boost their position with the Premier League's and UEFA's financial regulations.

Furthermore, the report by Tuttomercatoweb acknowledges that Casadei is interested in a return to Italy.