Axel Disasi looks set to leave Stamford Bridge again this summer, with a loan move to Crystal Palace now closing in on completion. The latest Chelsea news makes clear that Xabi Alonso has shown little interest in keeping the defender around, and this transfer looks set to go through once personal terms are settled.
Palace rebuild their defence after big changes
As reported by The Sun, a verbal agreement is in place between the two clubs for a paid loan with no option to buy. Talks are now focused on finalising personal terms with Disasi and his representatives. Meanwhile, Disasi has not played for Chelsea’s first team since January last year, despite several managers giving him chances.
The defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa. He then moved to West Ham for the final months of the last campaign, where he made 17 appearances and earned praise for his performances despite the club’s relegation. Crystal Palace have now moved beyond mere interest.
Crystal Palace have gone through major changes at the back over the last year. Manager Oliver Glasner left his post, and the club also lost two key defenders. Marc Guehi left for Manchester City, while Maxence Lacroix completed a permanent switch to Chelsea for a reported £52 million. That very deal has left Palace short at centre-back and made Disasi their priority replacement.
New boss Pierre Sage has already brought in fresh faces to fill that gap. Former Barcelona man Oscar Mingueza and ex Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu both joined on free transfers. Axel Disasi could soon join that list, giving Palace another experienced option at the back. Palace hope his experience can help settle their defence in the Premier League.
Disasi’s stats in the 2025-26 season at West Ham, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Tackles Interceptions Aerial duels won %
Premier League 14 14 13 58.1%
FA Cup 3 2 2 63.6%
Chelsea send a clear signal with squad numbers
Chelsea made their stance on Axel Disasi clear during their squad reveal this week, leaving him without a shirt number. This is a decision that speaks louder than any statement given his situation. Chelsea paid £38.8 million for Disasi from Monaco back in 2023. The deal now looks set to end in a straightforward loan rather than any return on that outlay.
Palace, for their part, had also shown interest in Chelsea academy defender Josh Acheampong before shifting their focus to Disasi instead, as reported by BBC. Disasi is now set to spend another season away from Stamford Bridge, with his contract still running until 2029 despite his lack of first-team football this season.
A tough fall for Axel Disasi at Stamford Bridge
Disasi arrived at Chelsea with plenty of potential, but injuries and inconsistent form saw his standing fall quickly under three different managers, from Enzo Maresca to Liam Rosenior to Xabi Alonso. His performances during his West Ham loan, which continued to draw praise even after the club’s relegation, suggested some of that quality never went away.
Palace need defensive cover urgently after losing Guehi and Lacroix, and personal terms are reportedly now the only hurdle left before the move is finalised. Chelsea, meanwhile, aren’t done shedding defenders at the back. Benoit Badiashile is closing in on a loan move to Napoli, while defender Mamadou Sarr is also said to be attracting interest as the Blues continue trimming their squad.
Also Read: Mykhailo Mudryk handed Chelsea escape route by Coventry
Also Read: Jamie Gittens: Fenerbahce issue furious response to Chelsea links
Read More: Reggie Walsh joins Wigan as Chelsea make loan move official