What would the potential appointment of Tiago Pinto as West Ham United’s director of football mean for their hopes of keeping Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi at the London Stadium long-term?
Well, if the events of last summer are anything to go by, the arrival of the former Roma, Benfica and now AFC Bournemouth chief would not do the Hammers’ hopes any harm.
West Ham are reportedly considering Tiago Pinto as a potential link between Nuno Espirito Santo’s coaching staff and the boardroom. Hammers News can confirm the club want a director to oversee football operations, but to also play a key role in the transfer market.
DISCUSS: How much would you pay for Axel Disasi? 💷
Disasi has THREE years left on his Chelsea contract…
And the good news for those hoping to see Axel Disasi begin 2026/27 in the claret and blue of West Ham United, the France international himself has already confirmed an approach from Pinto’s Bournemouth arrived last summer.
Tiago Pinto wanted West Ham United loanee Axel Disasi at Bournemouth
Speaking to Le Media Carre, Disasi admitted that he actually turned down an offer from West Ham, not to mention Bournemouth, in favour of a return to Monaco. A return which would never materialise as Chelsea demoted Disasi to the proverbial ‘bomb squad’.
“In the period between the approaches from Bournemouth and West Ham, Monaco arrived and that hit me emotionally,” the 27-year-old said.
“I had three incredible years at Monaco. When they came in, all the memories came back. Monaco is home. I hoped that Chelsea would find a solution to allow me to leave on loan. I pushed until the last minute to go to Monaco.”
Should Les Monegasques make an offer to bring Disasi back to the Principality at the end of the current campaign, then, this would take some turning down.
In the meantime, club insider ExWHUemployee believes that Disasi edging towards staying at West Ham as things stand. The Chelsea misfit is grateful to Nuno Espirito Santo, not only for offering him an escape out of his Stamford Bridge purgatory, but also for playing him in his preferred role at centre-half following stints moonlighting as a reluctant right-back.
Tiago Pinto could be West Ham’s new DoF! 💵 ✍️
What do you notice about his most inspired signings?
“I needed to play, and especially in my position,” Disasi told The Athletic this week. “Because it’s something that I missed last season [during a loan spell at Aston Villa], when I was playing out of position.
“The manager has allowed me to express myself.”
“He’s helped us. He’s one more option in our backline,” Nuno added during his pre-Manchester City press conference on Friday. “He integrated himself really, really well in terms of the squad.
“The squad helped him with integrating and communicating, and he’s doing really well. The connection in the backline is helping a lot, so credit to him.”
Tiago Pinto could be West Ham’s new DoF! 💵 ✍️
What do you notice about his most inspired signings?
Pinto bought Dean Huijsen and then sold him to Real Madrid
Now, Tiago Pinto has enjoyed plenty of success when betting big on young, hungry talent with substantial re-sale value. Very much the modern way of doing things. And something many critics, including Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, have accused West Ham of overlooking as Brighton, Brentford and Pinto’s Bournemouth overtake them in the standings.
Pinto bought and sold Dean Huijsen at Bournemouth – making a £40 million profit in the process – before landing free-scoring Frenchman Eli Junior Kroupi and Brazilian sensation Rayan in successive winter windows.
He also brought a fresh-faced Darwin Nunez to Benfica from the Spanish second tier.
However, Pinto also has a history when it comes to offering fresh starts to experienced campaigners in need of a fresh start. See Jan Vertonghen and Nicolas Otamendi in the Portuguese capital, Paulo Dybala at Roma, and Kepa Arrizabalaga at Bournemouth.
Disasi, having celebrated his 28th birthday on Wednesday, would certainly fall into this secondary category.
According to reports, Chelsea may accept just £20 million from West Ham should their London rivals escape the drop.
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