West Ham’s long-running pursuit of a new central defender appears to be coming to a close at last.
It has been very clear for a while now that West Ham United need defensive reinforcements, given no team across Europe’s major five leagues have conceded more goals this season (45).
On a scale of 1-10, how much does Axel Disasi actually improve West Ham’s defence? 👀
Not to knock him as a player, but he’s hardly played in months!
While the Hammers have strengthened in almost every other area of the pitch during the January transfer window, the defence hasn’t been touched. Well, until now.
West Ham have wanted to sign a new defender for a while now and there has finally been progress.
Indeed, for those desperate to sign a new central defender, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed some very good news indeed.
West Ham set to sign Chelsea defender Axel Disasi
On Thursday night, the leading transfer expert broke the news that West Ham were indeed close to signing Chelsea’s Axel Disasi on loan for the rest of the season.
The defender was recently brought back into the first team fold by the Blues having previously been included in their now infamous bomb squad.
However, he now appears to be leaving anyway, and the London Stadium is where he’s bound.
According to Romano, the Hammers are now very close to signing the former Monaco defender, with reports suggesting he was on the verge of moving to Italy seemingly wide of the mark.
On X, Romano wrote: “Axel Disasi, close to joining West Ham on loan deal from Chelsea as talks advance to final stages. Disasi was never close to joining Italian clubs despite several reports and West Ham are now accelerating.”
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The big risk West Ham are taking with Axel Disasi
Interestingly, Disasi actually rejected a move to West Ham during the summer of 2025.
Though it’s good news that his mind has seemingly been changed, there’s little doubt this is a big risk for the Hammers to take.
The fact is that Disasi has not played a game at senior level having only been afforded run outs in Chelsea’s youth team amid his state of limbo in west London.
Indeed, the last time he played at elite level was while he was on loan at Aston Villa against Manchester City in April 2025.
The last time he completed 90 minutes was against Nottingham Forest earlier that month.
Presumably, it’ll take time for him to get fully back up to speed. Time that West Ham simply do not have.
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