Santo has been handed a late dealplaceholder image
Santo has been handed a late deal | Getty Images
West Ham secured a extra-time signing thanks to the Premier League deal sheet.
The Premier League deal sheet has come to the rescue of West Ham, who have wrapped up up the loan signing of Axel Disasi from Chelsea, it’s understood. The Hammers have had a busy January transfer window, also landing Taty Castellanos, Felipe Pablo, Adama Traore and Keiber Lamadrid.
The Iron board recognised that Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad was not strong enough, and significant moves have been made in a bid to engineer a true survival bid.
The Hammers have picked up in form of late, and a couple of those new signings have played a key role. The Iron won back-to-back games but saw a two-goal lead turn into a defeat against Chelsea last time out.
West Ham are six points behind Nottingham Forest, but they may have well won the battle of winter transfers despite losing Lucas Paquetá. The Hammers have landed a huge boost with the signing of Disasi, signing an experienced and high quality centre-back to bolster their back-line.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest required a deal sheet to sign Lucas Netz from Borussia Monchengladbach, but they saw deadline pushes for Celtic star Arne Engels fall flat, and while they did manage to keep hold of Morato, they have had a disappointing window.
Forest signed Stefan Ortega from Manchester City for goalkeeper back-up and signed Lorenzo Lucca on loan from Napoli, but otherwise struggled to get business done.
The difference in the winter business could yet be the difference in survival or relegation for these two clubs in what is now shaping up to be an interesting run-in following the Iron’s much needed return to form.
And it’s also worth noting that Leeds United, who are also only six points ahead, failed to sign anyone on deadline day, having to settle for the loan signing of Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton in the winter window.
Disasi capable of John Terry-like performance
Back in 2024, Jamie Carragher likened Axel Disasi’s performance against Manchester City for Chelsea to one resembling a John Terry display. He told Sky Sports at the time: “I can’t remember a better defensive performance this season, certainly from a central defender,’ said an effusive Carragher on Sky Sports afterwards.
“Coming away to Manchester City, playing against the best striker in the world. He was brilliant. He was the man of the match, I don’t think I said it on air but he was the best player on the pitch. That was the type of performance you’d see from centre-backs from about 15-20 years ago.
“Now we see them more build up from the back, stepping in, but this was a bit of a throwback. Backs against the wall, throwing yourself in front of things, every time the ball comes in you feel like a magnet to get your head on it. I’m talking about Chelsea, that was a John Terry performance I can’t give any higher praise than that.”
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