West Ham have emerged as potential suitor for Axel Disasi, who has faced an uncertain future at Chelsea for a while now
11:53, 30 Jan 2026
Joao Pedro and Axel Disasi of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on January 23, 2026 in Cobham, England
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Axel Disasi faces an uncertain future at Chelsea(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
West Ham are interested in signing Axel Disasi before the January transfer window slams shut on Monday night, football.london understands. The Chelsea defender has faced an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge for a while now, having previously been relegated to the so-called 'bomb squad'.
It's understood that the Blues want to sell Disasi, whom they signed from Monaco for £38million in August 2023, while the Hammers would prefer a loan. The two Premier League clubs are currently in talks over a potential deal.
Disasi was told he could leave Chelsea in the summer, but a move never materialised. The 27-year-old was then informed that he was no longer part of the first team plans, and he was made to train separately from the senior squad at Cobham.
In November, Disasi began featuring for the development squad after impressing staff behind the scenes. The France international has featured three times the under-21s this season, captaining the Blues in a 4-1 win over Reading in the Premier League 2.
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He also led the Chelsea youngsters to a pair of defeats in the Under-21 Premier League International Cup. football.london understands that the west Londoners were keen to rebuild Disasi's fitness, having not made a competitive appearance since April 2025.
The Frenchman has since been regularly spotted in first team training again. Earlier this month, Liam Rosenior provided an update on Disasi and Raheem Sterling, who has since had his contract terminated.
Axel Disasi of Aston Villa looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa FC at Parc des Princes on April 09, 2025 in Paris, France
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Disasi spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
"I haven’t [spoken with them yet]," said the new Chelsea boss. "To be honest I’ve had so much on. This is my fourth day in the job. I will have conversations with them.
"Raheem’s had an outstanding career. I’ve got huge respect for him and Axel, who was someone I’ve really, really liked for a long time. But in this moment, with the amount of games that we’ve got and the stuff I’ve had to do — not just in terms of training but with the staff — I haven’t got on to that topic. I will do it in the next few days."
Rosenior added: "Honestly, I have to have a conversation with them. I have to have a conversation with the club. It’s been a whirlwind. There’s a lot for me to do and that’s near the top of my list."
Axel Disasi during his Aston Villa loan
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Disasi during his Aston Villa loan(Image: Getty Images)
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Then, once the 41-year-old had got his feet under the table at Cobham, he provided another update. A week later, Rosenior said: "My decision on Axel: I had a really good meeting with him a couple of days ago.
"I said to the players when I came in that it's a clean slate for everybody so it was only right for me to chat with him. He's behind in terms of his fitness, his match fitness and we'll work with him."
Disasi, who has three-and-a-half years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, has featured 61 times for Chelsea, scoring five goals and providing two assists. He helped the Blues win the UEFA Conference League, starting each of the six 'league phase' matches before joining Aston Villa on loan in January 2025.