Axel Disasi is considering leaving Chelsea as early as January, with German champions Bayer Leverkusen joining the race for the defender according to reports.
Disasi joined the Blues from French side Monaco in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth £38.8m and featured regularly under Mauricio Pochettino.
The 26-year-old made 44 appearances in all competitions as Chelsea secured a top six finish and a return to European football.
Leverkusen join the race for Disasi
However, under Enzo Maresca things have been different for the Frenchman and after missing pre-season, minutes have been few and far between.
Disasi was handed just his third Premier League start of the season in the draw against Everton on Sunday, and former Blue Pat Nevin stated he felt sorry for the defender during that game.
The Frenchman has had more regular minutes in the Conference League, but with Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana currently sidelined he has moved up the pecking order momentarily.
Lewis Hall battles for the ball with Axel Disasi at St James' Park. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
Interest in Disasi is hotting up ahead of the January window. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
A lack of minutes has seen Disasi linked with a move to Juventus in the January window and journalist Sacha Tavolieri has reported Leverkusen have now joined the race.
In words cited on X.com Disasi is considering leaving Stamford Bridge as soon as January in a bid to get back to his best form and Leverkusen are interested in him as a potential replacement for Jonathan Tah, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
It’s well documented that the Blues want to sign another centre back, although it’s unclear if that will be in January or next summer.
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Enzo Maresca on the touchline in the win over Shamrock Rovers. (Photo by: Crystal Pix/MB Media)
Ange Postecoglou at the Vitality Stadium. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Stamford Bridge in the early evening, quite generic. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
In order for that to happen one of the current crop will have to leave and given where Disasi is in the pecking order right now it would seem he’s the most likely candidate.
A January departure would depend on what offers the Blues received and how desperate Disasi is to move on, and an exit next summer feels more plausible, although never say never in football.