West Ham United Secure Defensive Reinforcement with Axel Disasi Loan Deal
West Ham United have successfully bolstered their defensive options by securing the loan signing of Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi until the end of the season. The deal, which does not include an option or obligation to buy, marks a significant move for the Hammers as they battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Persistence Pays Off in Prolonged Negotiations
The path to securing Disasi's signature was far from straightforward. The 27-year-old defender required considerable convincing to agree to a move to the London Stadium, with talks over personal terms dragging on extensively. West Ham's determination ultimately paid off, but not before they were forced to submit a deal sheet to grant themselves additional time to finalise the loan arrangement. The club has paid a substantial loan fee of £1.7 million to Chelsea for Disasi's services.
Medical examinations for the French defender had to be rescheduled on multiple occasions during Monday, highlighting the complexities involved in completing the transfer. West Ham's need for defensive reinforcement has been heightened by Jean-Clair Todibo's three-match suspension following his sending off in last Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo has shown limited faith in Max Kilman, who has lost his starting position, creating an urgent need for reliable defensive cover.
Disasi's Recent Career Trajectory and Chelsea's Defensive Reshuffle
Axel Disasi joined Chelsea from Monaco in the summer of 2023 but has struggled to meet expectations at Stamford Bridge. Despite performing well during a loan spell at Aston Villa last season, he found himself out of favour upon his return to Chelsea. The defender spent the first half of this season training away from the first team and featuring for the Under-21s after potential moves to Bournemouth and Tottenham collapsed during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea had initially hoped to secure a permanent sale for Disasi, with reported interest from Milan, but ultimately accepted that a loan move represented the most viable solution. The Blues' defensive reshuffle continues as they recall Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg. The 20-year-old Senegal defender had become a key figure for former Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior at the French club before Rosenior's departure last month.
In a related development, Liverpool have completed the signing of Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes for £55 million plus £5 million in potential add-ons. The 20-year-old centre-back, who had also attracted interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich, underwent a medical with Liverpool on Monday and will officially join the Premier League champions on 1 July.
Additional Transfer Activity Across the Premier League
The transfer window has seen significant activity beyond West Ham's acquisition of Disasi. Everton have completed the loan signing of Chelsea forward Tyrique George, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer. The 19-year-old, who can operate across the front line, has found first-team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge this season despite making a breakthrough under former manager Enzo Maresca in the previous campaign.
George is expected to provide cover for the injured Jack Grealish, who is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his foot. The Chelsea academy product expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge, stating his intention to make an immediate impact at Goodison Park.
Meanwhile, Dwight McNeil's proposed move to Crystal Palace collapsed despite both clubs submitting a deal sheet to complete the transfer late in the window. The loan deal, which included an obligation to buy for £20 million in the summer, ultimately fell through, leaving the Everton winger at his current club.
West Ham will be hoping that Disasi can regain match fitness quickly enough to feature against Burnley this Saturday, providing much-needed stability to a defence that has conceded crucial goals in recent matches. The French defender's experience and previous Premier League exposure during his loan spell at Aston Villa could prove invaluable as Nuno Espírito Santo's side fight to maintain their top-flight status.
