Chelsea are approaching crunch time when it comes to parting ways with some of their first team outcasts in the January transfer window.
Monday’s deadline is looming, and Enzo Maresca will no doubt have been hoping the club could have completed any transfer business they wished to conduct this month before this stage.
Many have called for signings in a number of positions in order to reclaim their place in the top four, however it feels like outgoings are at the top of their priority list this month, and this includes players signed under the new model.
Porto join race to sign Cesare Casadei from Chelsea
They have already parted ways with Renato Veiga on loan for the rest of the season, with him set to continue his development with Juventus for the rest of the campaign.
One player they are looking for a permanent solution for though is Cesare Casadei. That saga has dragged on for the majority of the transfer window as the Blues search for the perfect conditions for them.
It was believed Chelsea had an agreement with Torino for Casadei to move there, however their interest is now being rivalled by a Europa League side.
According to Di Marzio, Porto have entered the race to bring the Italian to Portugal, and would be able to offer him European football for the rest of the campaign.
Enzo Maresca building without Cesare Casadei in plans
Despite being a regular in the Conference League this season, Casadei has not been able to make an impression on the Premier League squad.
For this reason, Maresca himself admitted earlier this month that the £12m signing it was best for him to leave at this stage.
He said before the FA Cup game against Morecambe: “Yes, Cesare will not be in the squad. It is more or less the same situation as Ben Chilwell. For him, probably in this moment, the idea is not to allow him to play some minutes in case there is any opportunity for him to go and play. At this moment, this is the best thing for him.”
If no midfielder is signed this month, Chelsea will be left hoping that one of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or Carney Chukwuemeka make the step up to be able to contribute on a more regular basis in Premier League games.
