The Axel Disasi saga is reaching its conclusion. Chelsea and West Ham are in the final stages of a deal that will see the French defender move to the London Stadium on a six-month loan.
Romano Confirms: Deal in Final Stages
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between the two London rivals accelerated late on Thursday. Disasi, who cost Chelsea £38 million back in 2023, is expected to undergo a medical and be officially announced by the Hammers this weekend.
The 27-year-old has been a “forgotten man” at Stamford Bridge this season. Despite being briefly reinstated by new manager Liam Rosenior, Disasi has failed to make a single first-team appearance, instead featuring for Chelsea’s U21 development side to maintain fitness.
The “Igor Julio” Domino Effect
West Ham’s move for Disasi was triggered by the early termination of Igor Julio’s loan. The Brazilian defender returned to Brighton earlier this week, freeing up a domestic loan slot for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.
The Hammers currently hold the worst defensive record in the Premier League (45 goals conceded) and view Disasi’s Champions League experience including a stint at Aston Villa last season as vital for their relegation battle.
Chelsea’s Transfer Strategy
For Chelsea, offloading Disasi follows the recent mutual termination of Raheem Sterling’s contract. While a permanent sale was the initial goal, a loan move allows the Blues to remove Disasi’s significant wages from the books for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
Axel Disasi: Performance Snapshot
- Last Season (Aston Villa loan): 10 Appearances.
- This Season (Chelsea U21): 3 Appearances (1 Goal).
- Versatility: Capable of playing as a Centre-Back or Right-Back.
Match Context: A Strange Weekend Ahead
In a twist of fate, Chelsea and West Ham face each other this Saturday (31st) at Stamford Bridge. While the deal is nearly done, Disasi will not be eligible to play for either side if the registration isn’t completed in time and Premier League loan rules would prevent him from facing his parent club anyway.
James Horan is a football writer focused on the Premier League transfer market, covering confirmed signings, transfer rumors, and club strategies during the transfer windows.
