Defender Axel Disasi appears poised to become West Ham's major deadline day signing, but as the Frenchman arrives, another vacates east London.
The Hammers are racing against the clock to wrap up a deadline day loan swoop for Chelsea reject Disasi after a chaotic afternoon at Rush Green.
Disasi
West Ham have been grafting all month to plug their leaky defence after conceding more Premier League goals than anyone else, with boss Nuno Espírito Santo desperately seeking reinforcements, especially after Igor Julio got recalled by Brighton last week and Jean-Clair Todibo copped a three-match ban following his red card against Chelsea on Saturday.
West Ham have already done solid business this January.
They've brought in strikers Taty Castellanos and Pablo on permanent deals, plus nabbed Adama Traoré from Fulham for between £1 million and £2 million.
Going the other way, they've shifted deadwood like James Ward-Prowse and Guido Rodriguez, whilst Lucas Paqueta made his emotional £36.5 million return to Flamengo in Brazil.
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The Irons are not done in the transfer market.
However, the centre-back situation remains desperate.
Disasi is apparently undergoing his medical right now as the east Londoners push to complete a straight six-month loan with no obligation or option to buy.
Chelsea reportedly wanted a permanent sale or at least a loan with strings attached, but West Ham have negotiated hard to avoid any future commitment.
The 27-year-old hasn't kicked a competitive ball since April 2025 when he came off the bench for Villa in a 2-1 loss to Man City. Chelsea completely froze him out this season, banishing him to train with the development squad despite his £38 million price tag from Monaco back in 2023.
The deal carries massive risk considering Disasi will need weeks to reach Premier League fitness levels.
Chelsea-Caicedo-Disasi
West Ham face Burnley away on Saturday in a must-win relegation scrap. They're six points from safety and sinking fast, so whether a bloke who hasn't played proper football in ten months can help is anyone's guess.
Despite late contact from Nottingham Forest for Disasi, it is West Ham who appear to be on the verge of signing him.
Amidst the chaos of this deal, West Ham have agreed an under-the-radar exit.
Emeka Adiele agrees four-year deal to leave West Ham
According to a breaking report from Romano, West Ham sensation Emeka Adiele has agreed a four-year deal to join FC Utrecht, despite interest from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.
Romano confirmed Adiele chose Utrecht because first-team football was his absolute priority, with the 18-year-old unfortunately not getting any first-team action in east London.
Fair play to the kid, he's turned down two massive clubs to guarantee regular minutes in the Eredivisie rather than warming benches in Germany or Italy.
West Ham reportedly reckon no other deals are likely beyond Disasi before the deadline, but as always with the Hammers, never rule anything out.
Adiele leaves the London Stadium after making 79 appearances across West Ham's Under-18s and Under-21s, where he managed 14 goals and 21 assists in that time.
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West Ham United could pick up Nuno Espirito Santo's own Jarrod Bowen by agreeing a late deal for this forceful star.