Axel Disasi belatedly became a West Ham United player on Deadline Day.
On paper, the idea of signing a central defender who simply hadn’t played in months from London rivals did not seem that difficult to do.
Still, Disasi’s move to West Ham was extremely complicated, and confirmation only came hours after the deadline had passed.
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The Frenchman is now a West Ham United player for the next few months at least.
His temporary switch from Chelsea is thought to be a straight loan with neither an option nor an obligation to buy upon its completion.
It remains to be seen just how good a signing he proves to be and loan moves are always something of a gamble.
Interestingly, Disasi rejected a move to West Ham in 2025, so this seems like a marriage of convenience more than anything else.
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Prior to the move actually going through, pundit Danny Murphy shared his thoughts.
Danny Murphy addressed Axel Disasi’s move to West Ham United
Deadline day brought with it constant toing and froing on whether Disasi would actually sign for West Ham, with some reports suggesting that he wasn’t entirely convinced.
When asked about why the former Monaco defender wouldn’t want to sign for a club like West Ham, Murphy suggested that players may think they are a step above the Hammers in their current predicament.
Speaking on talkSPORT before the deal was complete, Murphy said: “I think if it’s a permanent move, there’s an argument to say ‘Why would I want to go to a club that’s in the bottom three and could be relegated?’
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“He probably puts himself on a higher level than that. If it’s just a loan, there doesn’t seem to be reason why you wouldn’t want to just go out and show people how good you are and get some fitness.”
Indeed, as painful as it is to say, the chances of the club staying in the Premier League do look increasingly remote.
Though West Ham remain a proud club, this is a bleak period in their recent history.
How much West Ham United are paying to sign Axel Disasi
The deal will seemingly cost the Irons a pretty penny indeed.
Reports suggest that West Ham have paid £1.7million to sign Disasi on loan from Chelsea.
Axel Disasi during Wolves v Chelsea FC in the Premier League
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
That is surely on the high side, although it will look like a bargain if he improves the defence enough to keep the team in the Premier League come May.
It will be interesting to see how it all develops. The Frenchman hasn’t played any meaningful football in what feels like an age now, so this is a big risk from West Ham.
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