Admittedly, West Ham United going from France international Axel Disasi to a defender relegated from the Championship to League One hardly screams ‘ambition’.
But considering how many have labelled Ben Nelson a Premier League centre-half in-waiting, the Hammers may be onto something in pursuit of the Leicester City youngster.
West Ham United haven’t given up on their dream target at this stage. Stamford Bridge reporter Si Phillips says there is a £25 million agreement in place with Chelsea to bring Axel Disasi back to East London.
How would you feel if Kretinsky brought Disasi BACK to West Ham? 🇫🇷
A Chelsea source thinks the return is possible…
But should that fail to materialise – one suspects Disasi will have other offers from top-flight and even Europe-bound clubs – Ben Nelson may be one they turn to as a more affordable, attainable alternative.
Leicester City’s Ben Nelson is on West Ham United’s radar
According to club insider ExWhuEmployee, via West Ham Way, Nelson has admirers at the London Stadium, as well as at Sunderland and Manchester United.
Italian outfit Torino have seen an offer rejected as Leicester hold out for between £10 and £12 million.
Nelson, of course, will come under scrutiny from Hammers fans for his role in Leicester’s relegation to England’s third tier. But if you are willing to overlook a poor, if injury-hit 2025/26 campaign – Nelson only started 22 times in 46 Championship matches, so there is a limit to the blame he should receive – the Northampton-born youngster would arrive with plenty of pedigree and as-yet untapped potential.
“[Nelson is an] ideal defender. He’s quick. He can play right or left — it’s perfect.”
Those are the words of Enzo Maresca; Man City’s Pep Guardiola replacement having handed Nelson his senior debut during Leicester’s Championship-winning campaign in 2023/24.
“The only thing that he needs to improve and understand more is that he is a bit shy on the ball.”
Flash forward to 2026 and, if you ask fans of Leicester and former employers Oxford to highlight Nelson’s best attributes, many will point to his line-breaking, progressive passes from the back. The former England Under-20 international has his weaknesses – particularly a tendency to switch off in key moments – but no one could really accuse him of ‘shyness’ in possession these days.
“Absolutely outstanding,” was the assessment of Gary Rowett during Nelson’s loan spell at Oxford in 2024/25, via the Oxford Mail. “He showed the potential which he’s got, which is to be a Premier League centre half.”
Because Nelson is a confident, two-footed passer as well as a giant of a man at 6ft 5ins, comparisons with former Leicester powerhouse Harry Maguire were inevitable.
For Danny Schofield, who worked with Nelson during a stint at Doncaster Rovers, he could not help feel that there are shades of Levi Colwill and one Charlie Cresswell.
Like Maguire, who nearly joined from Man United a couple of summers ago, Toulouse ace Cresswell is another former West Ham target.
“Ben is in the same category as [Cresswell and Chelsea’s Colwill]. He has lots of potential to go on to play at the highest level, Premier League and potentially international football,” Schofield told The Athletic.
“He has a thirst for learning. Whenever we did individual and collective bits you could really see he was fully engaged. It was a pleasure for myself and the staff to work with him. He can get to the top.
“His physical profile is very good.”
England U20 ace Nelson tipped to become a Premier League star
Schofield used Nelson on the left of a back three at Doncaster. That two-footedness is something which presumably appeals to West Ham, given that Nuno utilised the right-footed Disasi on the left last term with excellent results.
The captain STAYS! How big of a coup is this for West Ham? 🥳
“He is two-footed, so much so that is hard to tell which is his strongest foot,” Schofield added. “He would say it is his right but, technically, he receives the ball well with both feet and plays different types of passes off both feet. That is a standout strength.
“There is no reason why he can’t go on and have a very successful career at the top level.”
ExWhuEmployee claims that West Ham, while adding Nelson to their wishlist, are holding talks with Cardiff City youngster Dylan Lawlor as they step up their pursuit of defensive reinforcements. Lawlor was labelled an ‘exceptional’ talent by Craig Bellamy following his senior Wales bow, and has another admirer in the shape of former Upton Park stalwart Danny Gabbidon.
Lawlor, too, is renowned for his bombastic ball-playing and his extreme confidence in possession. Further links with Nelson, ex-Brighton favourite Ben Webster, and Dael Fry – who has since joined Birmingham City from Middlesbrough – make it clear that West Ham want a defender who can start attacks as well as stop them.
Going from Disasi to Lawlor and Nelson will inevitably attract scepticism. But there is clearly a plan in place built around a certain style of centre-back.
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