Disasi seals deadline day West Ham loan to end Chelsea exile

Axel Disasi brought an uncomfortable chapter at Chelsea to a close on deadline day after completing a dramatic loan move to West Ham, ending months on the fringes at Stamford Bridge as the window ticked down to its final moments.

The French defender crossed London on a straight loan deal until the end of the season, with West Ham securing his signature after a frantic late push that went beyond the 11pm deadline. A reported £1.7 million loan fee was agreed, with no option to buy included.

The move was only finalised after repeated delays. Disasi’s medical was rescheduled several times as negotiations over personal terms dragged on, forcing West Ham to submit a deal sheet to the Premier League to gain a two hour extension and complete the paperwork.

For Nuno Espirito Santo, the signing delivers an immediate solution to a growing defensive problem. The West Ham manager identified Disasi as a physically dominant, experienced centre back capable of stabilising a back line that has struggled for balance and reliability in recent weeks.

Disasi’s departure also carries wider significance for Chelsea. He was the last senior figure linked to the so called bomb squad assembled during the Enzo Maresca era, when a group of experienced players were excluded from first team training in an aggressive attempt to reshape the squad.

While others had already moved on, Disasi remained in limbo despite a respectable loan spell at Aston Villa last season. His return to Chelsea brought no route back, with the defender spending the first half of the campaign away from the senior group and playing Under 21 football.

The situation became unsustainable for a France international who joined from Monaco in 2023 for £38 million. His exit eases Chelsea’s wage bill and offers the player a chance to revive a career that stalled sharply after a difficult spell in west London.

There was an added layer of irony to the deal. West Ham’s need for defensive cover intensified during their recent 3 2 defeat at Chelsea, a match that saw Jean Clair Todibo sent off and ruled out for three games. That result left Nuno short of centre back options and pushed the club urgently back into the market.

With Southampton refusing to sanction a move for Taylor Harwood Bellis and confidence reportedly low in Max Kilman, West Ham turned to Disasi as a short term fix. The Frenchman is eligible to make his debut against Burnley this weekend and is expected to slot straight into the starting lineup.

Chelsea, meanwhile, moved quickly to protect their own depth. Mamadou Sarr was recalled from his loan at Strasbourg, with head coach Liam Rosenior viewing the 20 year old as a better tactical fit. Aaron Anselmino was also recalled from Borussia Dortmund before being sent to Strasbourg as part of a wider BlueCo reshuffle.

With the final remnants of the bomb squad cleared and younger profiles promoted, Chelsea believe they have closed the window in a stronger position. For Disasi, the focus now shifts to rediscovering form and authority on the pitch, with regular minutes and a fresh start waiting in east London.