French forward Gregoire Defrel is set to complete a €7 million move to Sassuolo, according to Sky Italia.
Torino boss Giampiero Ventura had also shown interest in the 24-year-old, but Sassuolo are said to have met the asking price of Cesena, who suffered relegation from Serie A last term.
Defrel was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Seahorses, netting nine goals and laying on six assists.
Simone Zaza replacement
Sassuolo recently pocketed €18 million for Simone Zaza's services from Juventus and the Neroverdi have acted swiftly in replacing the Italian striker.
Zaza chalked up 21 goals in two seasons at Sassuolo, though the club will head into the new campaign buoyed by Domenico Berardi's decision to return to the Neroverdi on a permanent transfer. Should Defrel join the Eusebio di Francesco project in Sassuolo, the club will have reason to be cheerful heading into their first Zaza-less Serie A campaign.
Defrel was initially co-owned by Parma but became a Cesena player outright following the club's bankruptcy. The Frenchman made only one start in Parma colours, however, as he suffered from weight issues upon his arrival in Italy.
Style of play
The Frenchman is a nimble forward and fuctioned most efficiently alongside a more orthodox number nine last term -- nominally Milan Duric. He is a dynamic forward, equally capable of dropping deep or spinning in behind, as attested by his finish against Internazionale last season where he latched onto a Carlos Carbonero pass and lofted his effort over a hapless Samir Handanovic.
Defrel is seemingly keen for a move given Cesena's return to Serie B, but Rino Foschi, Cesena's sporting director, told SportItalia on Friday that the situation was "static".
More recently, Palermo have shown an interest in the 24-year-old as they aim to replace the departed Paulo Dybala.