Chelsea may reportedly be downgraded to outsiders in the race to sign Inter Milan youngster Cesare Casadei.
The Premier League giants have been frequently linked with the prospect throughout the summer transfer window, despite Inter's reluctance to part ways with the 19-year-old.
However, with the Italian outfit having failed to raise funds through other sales and Casadei facing limited game time during 2022-23, the possibility of an exit remains on the table.
Previous reports have indicated that Chelsea have already seen two bids rejected with the prospect of a £12m offer being made in due course.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Nice are now ready to rival the West Londoners.
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The Ligue 1 outfit are starting a new era under Lucien Favre, who has been brought in as the club's new head coach after Christophe Galtier's switch to Paris Saint-Germain.
Kasper Schmeichel and Aaron Ramsey are already among the players to have moved to the South of France as Nice look to challenge for a top-three spot in the league and go deep in the Europa Conference League.
Nevertheless, it appears that Favre has identified Casadei as a key addition to his squad, their hope being that an eventual buy-back clause can be negotiated with Inter.
As it stands, it is unclear whether Chelsea would entertain such a clause given that it would leave them at risk of losing Casadei for some of the best years of his career.
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Thomas Tuchel is already well stocked for options in the centre of the pitch with Conor Gallagher and Carney Chukwuemeka boosting his numbers compared to the last campaign.
Chelsea and Tuchel will eventually want to lower the average age in the middle, but that will not necessarily apply until next summer if Jorginho and N'Golo Kante fail to extend their contracts past 2023.
Casadei, who has earned 12 caps for Italy Under-19s, is yet to be provided with an outing in Serie A, but he has featured in one senior matchday squad.
Inter also have the option of extending the youngster's contract past 2024.
Darren Plant
