After West Ham United reportedly beat them to the signature of Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi on transfer deadline day, Italian giants AC Milan are – fittingly – on the defensive.
The five-time France international was finally confirmed as a Hammer a few hours after Monday’s 7pm cut-off point. Axel Disasi could be thrown straight in when West Ham United travel to Burnley this weekend, in what would be his first Premier League outing since April 2025.
It is no secret that Disasi took some convincing from the Hammers’ hierarchy.
Who should replace Todibo on Saturday?! 🤔
Keep in mind that Axel Disasi hasn't played in months 😬
The former Monaco ace initially wanted to join AC Milan. Italian reporter Carlo Pellegatti would later claim that Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri felt Disasi was ‘perfect’ for what he wanted from a mid-season central defensive addition.
Pellegatti also refuted suggestions that Allegri turned down the 2022 World Cup finalist.
From the Milan camp, though, a very different narrative is emerging via sporting director Igli Tare.
Milan speak out after Axel Disasi leaves Chelsea for West Ham United
On a frustrating deadline day, the seven-time European champions saw Jean-Philippe Mateta slip through their fingers while also not bringing in the central defender that Allegri reportedly was pining for.
Tare, though, is keen to portray things in a very different light.
Disasi joined West Ham instead not because they convinced him to reject Milan, the former Lazio chief argues, but because Milan didn’t want him anyway.
And, yes, this is giving real ‘I didn’t fancy her anyway’ vibes.
“There wasn’t any need for [making a signing in] defence,” Tare tells DAZN. “If there had been something to take, we would have done it.
“But Max [Allegri] and I decided to move forward with this group, which is giving us satisfaction.”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says Disasi is a ‘very good signing’
Hammers News can confirm that Jean-Clair Todibo’s red card against Chelsea played a part in convincing Disasi to join on a short-term basis. With his fellow Frenchman out for the next three matches – against Burnley, Manchester United and Burton Albion in the FA Cup – the door is now ajar for Disasi to immediately install himself at the heart of Nuno Espirito Santo’s defence.
Chelsea icon Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is convinced this will be a fine piece of business for all involved, once Disasi gets up to speed of course.
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“I think he’s been a little bit unlucky. I think it will be a very good signing for West Ham and for himself as well,” Hasselbaink, who scored 87 goals for Chelsea between 2000 and 2004, told Sky Sports on deadline day.
“I think he will help West Ham.
“He is a good player, he can play centre-back but can also play right-back, so he covers two positions which will be a good option.
“The only thing is, fitness-wise, where is he? Does he need three, four, or five matches to get back into rhythm? With West Ham, you’ve got to be [available] straight away there because they don’t have that luxury of losing too many matches.
“But overall, with what he has – his ability – I think he is a good transfer for West Ham.
“He’s fit, he’s been training, and he’s been training hard with the ‘bomb squad.’ He’s always stayed positive, so hopefully, he can slot in straight away and hit the level that West Ham needs immediately.”
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