Napoli set to make shock bid for Chelsea outcast as Antonio Conte plots raid on former club to boost Serie A title challenge

Casadei, who joined Chelsea from Inter in 2022, has been linked with a return to Italy in recent weeks as Torino tried and failed to reach an agreement with the Blues. Napoli have become the new favourites to sign him, Gianluca Di Marzio reports they are all set to table an opening bid.

Casadei has hardly featured for Chelsea this season as coach Enzo Maresca has only given him playing time in the Conference League and Carabao Cup. Last season, the midfielder managed 11 Premier League appearances before he was loaned to Maresca's Leicester side, featuring 22 times as they won the Championship.

Napoli coach Antonio Conte was in charge at Inter while Casadei was part of the youth academy and the 21-year-old fits the profile the ex-Chelsea manager is looking for, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Napoli have a slender lead at the top of Serie A and hope to strengthen their midfield options to boost their hopes of winning the title.

With no return to Maresca's squad in sight for Casadei, the Italy Under-21 international will hope Napoli can strike a deal with the Stamford Bridge side soon.