If a recent report from The Guardian is believed to be true, West Ham United are eyeing a short-term deal for Axel Disasi and have made a loan slot available by sending Igor Julio back to Brighton & Hove Albion, terminating his season-long loan contract. But the Hammers are not alone in the race, as Serie A side Fiorentina, along with Barcelona, AC Milan, AS Roma, Wolves and Galatasaray, are also in the mix for the Chelsea defender.
The 27-year-old centre-back progressed through the academy ranks of Villiers-le-Bel JS, USM Senlis and Paris FC before breaking into the latter’s senior squad. Reims then roped him in, and his impressive display for the reserves earned him a regular first-team status for The Red and Whites. Monaco snapped him up for €13m in the summer of 2020, and the Blues, convinced by his development in French football, secured his services for €45m three years later.
Why Chelsea Should Sanction An Exit Despite His Return To Team Training
The Les Bleus international showed his versatility under Mauricio Pochettino across 44 appearances during the 2023-24 season. But he eventually lost his place following Enzo Maresca’s arrival as the Stamford Bridge boss. Despite being loaned out to Aston Villa for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, the Frenchman failed to stake a claim in Unai Emery’s long-term plans.
However, Disasi was a part of Maresca’s ‘bomb squad’ until the Italian stepped down earlier this month. Although Liam Rosenior has reintegrated him into team training, an offer from the Hammers could now see him travel across the city for assured gametime.
Why West Ham United Need Disasi To Bolster Their Backline
Regardless of back-to-back wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, West Ham United are struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League standings. They still need to overcome a five-point deficit to avoid relegation, and the board has backed Nuno Espirito Santo by tying down Pablo Felipe, Taty Castellanos and Adama Traore to bolster the attack.
Nevertheless, the Irons have been vulnerable all season in the defensive third. Igor only featured four times in the league, thus leaving Nuno with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman as the regular centre-backs. They also have Kyle Walker-Peters and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the senior right fullbacks, but the depth in defence has not worked out, as they have the worst defensive record after 23 gameweeks.
Disasi’s experience of the highest order, as well as his ability to slot in as a hybrid defender, should offer the much-needed flexibility while setting up the backline. Chelsea must not stand in his way if West Ham table an offer before Monday’s deadline.
