Reading are close to confirming the arrival of Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei.

Expected to be a short-term loan switch until the end of the season, he will be the sixth temporary arrival, meaning one loan player will need to be dropped from the matchday squad each week.

Paul Ince has made it clear throughout the window that he wanted two midfielders, but with the deadline just over 48 hours away the clock is ticking.

So, who is Casadei?

A 20-year-old Italian from the northern region of the country, the midfielder had spells in the academies at Cervia and Cesena before a big move to giants Inter Milan.

While with the Nerazzurri, a former club of Royals boss Paul Ince, Casadei won the national Under-17 championship and became a regular for his country's youth sides.

Despite moving up and training with the first team, he never made an appearance for the San Siro outfit, he was snapped up for a reported 15 million Euros in the summer.

A regular for the Blues' youth system, he has played nine times in PL2, scoring four times, and has netted once in four matches during the Checkatrade Trophy group stages.

This has caught the eye of national team manager Roberto Mancini, who invited the youngster to train with his side last month- coming just a month on from his Under-21 international debut.

On a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge, time with the Royals will be his first forray into competitive first-team action.