West Ham Conclude Axel Disasi Loan from Chelsea After Tough Talks
West Ham United have successfully reinforced their defensive line by securing Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season. The agreement, which does not include an option or obligation to buy, involved a £1.7 million loan fee and required extensive negotiations to convince the centre-back to make the move to the London Stadium.
Disasi's Journey to West Ham Amid Fitness and Form Concerns
Axel Disasi, aged 27, has not played since last April and needed significant persuasion to join West Ham. Personal terms discussions dragged on, forcing the club to submit a deal sheet to extend the deadline. His medical was rescheduled multiple times on Monday, but West Ham's persistence ultimately paid off. The defender fell out of favour at Chelsea after joining from Monaco in 2023 and spent the first half of this season training with the Under-21s, following failed moves to Bournemouth and Tottenham.
Despite performing below expectations at Chelsea, Disasi showed promise during a loan spell at Aston Villa last season. West Ham are hopeful he can regain fitness quickly, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo aiming to have him ready for the upcoming match against Burnley. This signing comes as a response to Jean-Clair Todibo's three-game ban after a red card in a recent defeat to Chelsea, and Nuno's lack of confidence in Max Kilman, who has been dropped from the starting lineup.
Broader Transfer Window Moves Involving Chelsea and Other Clubs
Chelsea had initially sought a permanent sale for Disasi, with interest from Milan, but accepted a loan as the best solution. The club's defensive reshuffle continues, as they recalled Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg. Sarr, a 20-year-old Senegal defender, was a key player under former Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg, who wanted him for the rest of the season.
In related news, Liverpool completed the signing of Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes for £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons, beating Chelsea and Bayern Munich to the deal. Jacquet, a France under-21 international, will officially join Liverpool on 1 July. Meanwhile, Everton have loaned Chelsea forward Tyrique George, with an option to buy in the summer, after his proposed move to Fulham collapsed earlier in the season.
Other notable transfers include Crystal Palace's failed attempt to sign Dwight McNeil on loan with an obligation to buy, and Chelsea's strategic moves within BlueCo-owned clubs, such as sending Aaron Anselmino to Strasbourg and loaning David Datro Fofana to the Ligue 1 side.
