Leeds United have been linked with a lot of centre-back signings this window, but none have materialised. West Ham, though, are finally rectifying their leaky defence.
Leeds come into this weekend knowing it’ll be a tall order to extend the gap over the bottom three. We face Arsenal at home while the Irons travel to Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest take on Crystal Palace at the City Ground.
What helps Leeds at the moment is not only the six-point lead we have over West Ham in 18th, but also our healthy goal difference propped up by a stronger defensive record and more goals too.
West Ham signing Leeds United-linked Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea
Both sides could do with more strength in depth in the defence for the second half of the campaign. It’s a more considerable issue for Leeds now than it was at the start of January due to Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson suffering injuries.
However, both are expected back very soon, boosting Leeds’ chances of getting back to keeping clean sheets.
Meanwhile, the Irons have been in the market for a new centre-back and have agreed a deal with their opponents Chelsea this week.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are set to complete the signing of Blues centre-back Axel Disasi on loan for the rest of the campaign – per Fabrizio Romano:
🚨⚒️ Axel Disasi, close to joining West Ham on loan deal from Chelsea as talks advance to final stages.
Disasi was never close to joining Italian clubs despite several reports and West Ham are now accelerating. pic.twitter.com/tur9ujJGQH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2026
Disasi’s exit from Stamford Bridge this window looks inevitable. Interestingly, he was also linked with a move to Leeds. Although, it looked a complete non-starter and not a deal the 49ers would entertain.
Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is set to join West Ham. (REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)
Leeds United dodge Axel Disasi bullet as West Ham make intriguing defensive signing
There’s a reason that it looked a non-starter for Leeds. Because Disasi doesn’t get near our starting lineup right now.
He’s been frozen out of Chelsea’s plans all season. He’s been training away from the senior squad, only featuring a handful of times for their U21s.
His latest outing at that level was getting handed a beating by Benfica’s U23s. Disasi was hooked as captain with the score at 5-1 to the Portuguese side.
Tasking him with overhauling a failing Premier League defence is a tall order. There’s obviously an obvious reason that Aston Villa weren’t wanting him permanently after his half-season loan in 2025. And, now an obvious reason why Chelsea have banished him from their squad. That is in spite of the Blues having centre-back depth issues of their own.
It wouldn’t have been a good signing for Leeds, and I currently can’t see how it helps West Ham that much either.
Disasi might prove useful in a side playing much deeper than Chelsea were. However, him not playing a senior game of football since April is alarming for his hopes of revitalising the Irons’ defence.
Read more: What sources are saying about Leeds United’s chances of signing Jorgen Strand Larsen.
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