Just what on earth is going on surrounding West Ham United, Premier League rivals Chelsea, and the future of France international Axel Disasi?
As if there was not enough to sink your teeth into ahead of Saturday’s latest London derby – the Hammers face the Blues at Stamford Bridge tonight – the two capital city neighbours appear to have business to attend to off the pitch as well as on it.
As hopes of a Charlie Cresswell swoop fade, West Ham United have held talks with Chelsea regarding a potential loan deal for Axel Disasi in the last 72 hours.
On a scale of 1-10, how much does Axel Disasi actually improve West Ham’s defence? 👀
Not to knock him as a player, but he’s hardly played in months!
Chelsea outcast Axel Disasi in rare first-team action
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Liam Rosenior insisted that a deal for Disasi was not imminent when asked about the situation during his pre-match press conference on Friday. However, Chelsea appear willing to let the £38.5 million former Monaco defender leave, possibly on loan but preferably on a permanent basis.
Disasi, after all, has not played a single first-team minute all season after initially falling out of favour under Enzo Maresca.
Ben Jacobs says West Ham United are not close to signing Axel Disasi from Chelsea
Time, of course, is a limited commodity at the moment. Following tonight’s clash between the Champions League chasers and the relegation battlers, West Ham will have only two days to get a deal completed.
Reporter Ben Jacobs, speaking on the Transfer Insiders podcast, believes that things could still move ‘very quickly’. However, having spoken to both clubs, reports claiming that Disasi is close to becoming a West Ham player appear wide of the mark.
Axel Disasi during FC Astana v Chelsea FC - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD5
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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“West Ham United have made an inquiry about a loan,” Jacobs says. “Now, naturally, this could develop very quickly, even before we get to deadline day.
“[But] as of last night and early this morning, suggestions that the loan to West Ham was done or was close, have been dismissed by sources I’ve spoken to at both clubs. One of the reasons for that is because Chelsea want to keep their options open in case a permanent bid comes in, but also West Ham have got more than one target that they’re looking at as well.
“Of course, throughout the course of today or the next few days, it could progress. Definitely an option for West Ham United, but we’re not quite in done deal territory yet.”
The aforementioned Charlie Cresswell is still up for grabs at Toulouse, although the Ligue 1 outfit could hardly have taken a more hardline stance. Brighton and Wolfsburg have both seen offers in excess of £20 million rejected.
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham have approached Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis too, after learning that Chelsea would prefer to sell Disasi than agree another temporary deal for a man who spent the second half of 2024/25 on loan at Aston Villa.
The feeling from Italy, meanwhile, is that the San Siro is the dream destination for Disasi’s camp.
Scarles over Diouf? Traore on the bench? 🤔
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Chelsea v West Ham predicted Xi
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Hammers reportedly had a deal ‘wrapped up’ but AC Milan are now in the mix
Interestingly, Matteo Moretto now claims that West Ham were within touching distance of sealing a deal at one point. That has all changed now, though.
“As you know, he’s on his way out of Chelsea,” Moretto explained opposite Fabrizio Romano.
“Chelsea had basically wrapped up a loan move for Disasi to West Ham but, in the last few hours, a lot of other teams have stepped in too. Including Milan, making enquiries.
“Disasi has been offered to Milan many times over these past months, and Milan have basically always kept him there as an alternative option – a valid option for the final days of the transfer window.
“Be careful, because his camp would like to bring Disasi to Milan.”
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