Controversial Chelsea midfielder set for permanent Serie A switch

Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta, who’s signing as a teenager from French side Lens caused such a furore, is on the verge of completing a move to Lazio, according to reports.

The Serie A club are thought to have reached a deal with Chelsea for the player’s services and Kakuta could sign a three-year contract with the Biancocelesti ahead of their league fixture away to Chievo.

Lazio will be looking to bounce back from defeat against Napoli in their last away match and are 13/10 to win in Verona, where the 22-year-old Frenchman could make could make his debut under head coach Edoardo Reja.

Kakuta will be best remembered at Stamford Bridge as the man responsible for Chelsea’s ban from signing players for two transfer windows back in 2009, although the sanction was later lifted in appeal.

Considering he’s caused so much trouble since Chelsea ‘tapped him up’ as a 15-year-old, the west Londoners must wish they’d left well alone, as Kakuta has made just six senior appearances for the club altogether.

Loan spells at Fulham, Bolton, Dijon and Chelsea’s Dutch playground Vitesse – where young Blues Lucas Piazon and Christian Atsu currently ply their trade – have kept the Lille native sharp and with Lazio in need of a replacement for Inter Milan-bound Brazilian Hernanes, Kakuta’s days in the Premier League look over for now.

Losing a fringe forward player, no matter their potential, is unlikely to worry boss Jose Mourinho, who has a virtually full squad to choose from for his side’s crunch Premier League clash at Manchester City, with Fernando Torres and Marco van Ginkel the only players unavailable for selection through injury.

City have beaten all 11 of their top-flight home opponents so far this term, but Chelsea are one of just four sides who have downed Manuel Pellegrini’s side in the league this season and are unbeaten in their last 12 matches, of which they have won nine.

Ladbrokes have a fifth Chelsea away clean sheet in a row priced up at a massive 17/4, with the visitors 10/3 to become the first Premier League team to win at the Etihad since May.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.