Chelsea ‘chasing Serie A midfielder Reda Belahyane’ in deal worth 30 TIMES more than he was bought for last year
CHELSEA are “pushing hard” to sign Verona star Reda Belahyane, according to reports.
The Blues are keen to reinforce their midfield, with Cesare Casadei said to be nearing an exit.
Casadei, 22, is claimed to be attracting strong interest from Lazio and Torino.
Chelsea are said to want £12.6million for the 22-year-old, who has made just six appearances this season – and none in the Premier League.
According to Sky Sports in Italy, the Blues could reinvest a similar sum in signing Belahyane.
The Moroccan international signed for Verona from Nice in a £420,000 transfer in January 2024.
Should Chelsea invest the full £12.6m they receive for Casadei into Belahyane, Verona will have received 30 times what they paid Nice for him 12 months ago.
A Nice academy graduate, Belahyane made just eight first team appearances for the Ligue 1 club.
He has since established himself in Italy and has played 20 times in Serie A this term.
His performances earned him an international debut last October, when he featured for Morocco against the Central African Republic.
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Chelsea could be busy up until the February 3 transfer deadline.
The Blues have also been linked with Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho.
Earlier this week, SunSport reported that Chelsea are weighing up a bid for the Red Devils winger.
They are set to face strong competition from Napoli for the Argentine’s signature.