There has been a major twist to talks between West Ham and Chelsea over Axel Disasi after a move was made for a Brazilian star.
West Ham and Chelsea are both in the market for a new centre-back before Monday night’s transfer deadline.
The Hammers have held talks with the Blues this week over a loan deal for outcast Axel Disasi.
Not that he would have been able to play in the game, but West Ham’s collapse from 2-0 up to lose 3-2 to Chelsea showed exactly why Nuno Espirito Santo wants Disasi.
Reports claimed the Hammers were closing on a deal for Disasi and that the former Monaco man was open to the move.
Hammers and Chelsea hunting new centre-back
West Ham fans have been left baffled by the club’s failure to address their glaring defensive issues as the team that has conceded the most goals in the Premier League.
That has become the top priority this week.
Pretend YOU call the shots – who are you signing on Deadline Day?! 🤑
Feel free to name one REALISTIC target and one DREAM addition 😂
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But the Disasi deal hit the skids when it emerged Chelsea preferred a permanent sale and the player wanted to join West Ham’s rival suitors, AC Milan, instead.
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That prompted the Hammers to bid for Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton but the Championship outfit turned down a £12.5m bid.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are deciding whether to bid again after failing with an opening offer for Nantes defender Tylel Tati, according to reports in France.
Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg
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Now there has been a major twist to West Ham and Chelsea talks after a move was made for a Brazilian star.
With Disasi looking set for Milan, Chelsea moving for a replacement and Southampton rejecting their advances for Harwood-Bellis, West Ham had to turn their attentions elsewhere.
According to Spanish journalist Manu Colchón, the Irons made a move to sign Real Betis’ Brazilian centre-back Natan.
Colchon claims on Diario de Sevilla that West Ham offered a £2m loan fee with a clause for a £30m permanent transfer in the summer, presumably if the Hammers remained in the Premier League.
Betis reportedly saw the offer as derisory and consider Natan’s value to be ‘significantly higher’ due to his current performance levels and ‘enormous potential for growth’.
West Ham see offer rejected for Real Betis star Natan
Now, with nowhere else to turn, West Ham have gone back to Chelsea.
West Ham’s owners issued a promising transfer pledge ahead of deadline day.
How on earth do we REPLACE Jean-Clair Todibo?! 🤔
If you could tell Nuno what to do, what would you say?! 🗣️
He’s going to be a big miss…
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And it seems with good reason.
The Hammers have reignited their attempts to sign Disasi, according to SportMediaSet.
West Ham are said to be ‘pressing Chelsea to try to close the arrival of Disasi’ at the London Stadium as Milan cool their interest.
Axel Disasi during Wolves v Chelsea FC in the Premier League
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And there is no lack of irony as to why the player himself may now be more open to the switch.
His compatriot Jean-Clair Todibo was sent off against Chelsea for violent conduct and will now miss West Ham’s next three games.
That will mean Disasi can hit the ground running if he does join West Ham given a place in the starting XI will be there for the taking.
It now seems Disasi, who is believed to be Nuno’s prime target, is the club’s number one hope to solve the defensive issues.
Twist to West Ham and Chelsea talks and Todibo helps cause
The move comes after West Ham missed out to Chelsea for the signing of Disasi when he first came to England from Monaco.
Hammers sporting director Mark Noble came back from a scouting trip to the French club raving about Disasi and urging the club to sign him.
Chelsea outbid West Ham, though, and the player probably regrets his choice having become a Blues outcast ever since.
Now he will get a shot at Hammers redemption if he chooses to join the east Londoners in their hour of need ahead of the relegation battle run-in.
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