Gerard Yepes, a 23-year-old midfielder from Empoli, is the main target for Cesena's sporting director Andrea Mancini to replace Michele Castagnetti. Mancini has a prior connection with the player from their time at Sampdoria. Cesena is expected to attempt to sign the Spanish midfielder once Castagnetti's sale to Reggiana is complete. It has been reported that Reggiana has accelerated talks for Castagnetti and has reached a contractual agreement with him. Yepes joined Empoli in August 2025, and his contract is valid until June 2027; his current market value is €750k, according to Transfermarkt.