Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has just dropped the hammer on one of Chelsea’s longest-running transfer sagas, confirming that the club have made their final decision on forgotten defender Axel Disasi: a loan move to West Ham United until the end of the 2025/26 season is now officially on, with talks having accelerated to the final stages and agreement reached.
Disasi, the 27-year-old French international signed from Monaco for £38m in 2023, has become a prime example of Chelsea’s “bomb squad” – players sidelined and frozen out under successive managers. He has barely featured for the first team this season (limited to development squad appearances) and was relegated to the reserves over the summer, failing to secure a permanent exit despite interest from clubs like AS Roma, Lyon, Paris FC, and even Barcelona (who were offered him for a permanent deal earlier).
Romano revealed via his X account and updates that Chelsea and West Ham have pushed negotiations forward rapidly in the dying embers of the January window (closing February 2, 2026, at 7pm GMT). The deal is a straight loan without a buy option mentioned in initial reports, allowing Disasi to gain regular Premier League minutes at the London Stadium while easing Chelsea’s wage bill and squad bloat. This follows the recent mutual termination of Raheem Sterling’s contract (freeing up significant wages) and aligns with Liam Rosenior’s push to streamline the squad amid defensive vulnerabilities exposed in recent matches, like the Napoli comeback win.
The move marks a pragmatic resolution for a player who once showed promise but struggled for consistency and adaptation at Stamford Bridge. Disasi’s departure frees up a spot that could indirectly support Chelsea’s ongoing pursuit of Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet (still in talks, potentially for summer arrival) and the recent recall of Aaron Anselmino from Borussia Dortmund. Rosenior has emphasized defensive organization post-Napoli, where lapses drew criticism from Reece James, Joe Cole, and even the manager himself urging fans to ease off scapegoating.
Fans have reacted with a mix of relief and frustration—relief at finally shifting an underutilized asset, but questions over why it took so long for a “forgotten” £38m signing to find a way out. With deadline day approaching fast, this could be one of several late twists for Chelsea, who remain active in the market despite no major incomings confirmed yet.
Romano’s confirmation: “Axel Disasi to West Ham on loan – talks advanced and accelerating to final stage. Chelsea decision made, move happening.” The official announcement is expected imminently as paperwork is finalized.
This development provides Rosenior with breathing room to focus on results, starting with domestic fixtures after their European progress. Chelsea’s clear-out continues—another chapter in the post-Todd Boehly era rebuild.
