West Ham United are in the midst of a relegation fight in the Premier League. After starting 2026 seven points from safety but have since worked their way back, being level with 17th placed Nottingham Forest going into this weekend’s home game with Manchester City.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are growing in confidence and there is real belief that West Ham can stay up this season. The Iron’s know that if they do, they will need to improve on the pitch, even though they are aware they will have to sell to do so.
One position that looks in need of reinforcements is midfield. The likes of Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa could grow nicely in future years, but Tomas Soucek is getting older and whilst he remains important to the side, a contingency plan for the future could be in order.
One player that West Ham have identified, is Torino’s Cesare Casadei. The 23-year-old was sold by London rivals Chelsea last February but is said to be open to a return to England. According to reports in Italy, the Hammers are said to have sent scouts to keep an eye on the player, alongside David Moyes’s Everton.
Who is Cesare Casadei?
A product of Inter Milan’s academy, the box-to-box midfielder joined Chelsea’s youth programme in 2022, before making his debut for the club in 2024 after loan spells to Reading and Leicester City.
Casadei looked set to leave the Blues before Enzo Maresca, his boss during his spell with Leicester, was appointed Chelsea boss. Despite being in the Italian’s plans, he could not breakthrough and eventually did leave, returning to his homeland.
Cesare Casadei’s 2025/26 Torino Statistics
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 28 | 5 | 0 |
The 23-year-old fits much of the same bill as Soucek. Casadei can play anywhere centrally, be that in a deep role, or further up the pitch. Not only that, he has goals to his game, something that has been so important from Soucek. The midfielder is set to be available for less than £20m, something that West Ham will surely be interested in.
What’s next for West Ham?
Up next for the Hammers is title chasing Manchester City. A win at the London Stadium could take the Irons out of the bottom three but Nuno’s men know City will be a bigger test than that of their last opponents, Brentford.
Following that is a trip to Aston Villa. Villa also have their own motives this season, as they chase Champions League football but West Ham should be able to welcome back Crysencio Summerville, who is now out with a calf injury.
