West Ham Agree Terms With Chelsea for Axel Disasi (London) 2026

Key Points

• Transfer Agreement: West Ham United have reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea to secure central defender Axel Disasi on a permanent deal valued at approximately £25 million.
• Winter Loan Recapped: The 28-year-old French defender previously spent the second half of the season on loan in East London, making 17 appearances under manager Nuno Espírito Santo after arriving on deadline day for a reported £1.8 million loan fee.
• The Catch: Following West Ham United’s relegation from the Premier League at the end of the campaign, questions remained regarding Disasi’s willingness to drop down to the EFL Championship.
• Shifting Stance: While initial reports indicated reluctance to compete in the second tier, recent updates suggest the defender’s stance may have softened as negotiations continue amidst interest from European clubs such as AS Roma and Crystal Palace.

West Ham (East London Times) August 3, 2026 — West Ham United have reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea regarding permanent terms to bring French defender Axel Disasi back to the London Stadium, though the completion of the transaction remains dependent on player approval following the club’s relegation.

Have West Ham United and Chelsea Agreed on a Transfer Fee?

As reported by West Ham Zone, West Ham United and Chelsea have “basically agreed” on a transfer fee in the region of £25 million for the 28-year-old centre-back. Disasi originally made the move across London to the London Stadium during the winter transfer window in February 2026 on an initial short-term loan deal.

During his brief stay in E20, Disasi became a fixture in Nuno Espírito Santo’s defensive line, making 17 appearances. Despite his defensive performances, West Ham United were ultimately unable to maintain their top-flight status and finished 18th in the Premier League table.

What Is the Main Catch Hindering the Permanent Transfer?

As reported by Goal, Disasi had previously maintained that he was keen to remain at the top level and would only commit his long-term future to the Hammers if they secured Premier League football for the upcoming season.

Following the team’s relegation to the EFL Championship, questions arose regarding whether the Frenchman would accept playing in the second tier. However, as noted by West Ham Zone, while initial updates from sources such as The West Ham Way indicated that the defender was reluctant to drop down to the Championship, that position is not set in stone, and his stance appears to be shifting as the summer transfer window progresses.

Which Other Clubs Are Interested in Signing Axel Disasi?

As reported by Sam Tabuteau and Dom Smith of the London Standard, Disasi was previously frozen out of Chelsea’s first-team setup prior to his mid-season move to East London. Although Chelsea have since appointed Xabi Alonso as manager, Disasi remains surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge as the Blues look to facilitate a permanent departure.

As highlighted by West Ham Zone, West Ham United face competing interest for the defender’s signature, with Serie A outfit AS Roma and fellow London side Crystal Palace having monitored the player’s situation. Nevertheless, West Ham United remain in active contact with Chelsea and hold hope that Disasi will choose a return to E20 over alternative proposals.

What is the background behind Axel Disasi’s move to West Ham United?

Axel Disasi joined Chelsea from AS Monaco in August 2023 for a fee reported at £38 million. Over his initial campaign at Stamford Bridge, the defender registered regular game time, but subsequent tactical changes and squad reshaping left him outside the first-team picture heading into the 2025–26 season.

In February 2026, West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo sought defensive reinforcements during the winter transfer deadline. As reported by Sam Tabuteau and Dom Smith of the London Standard, West Ham agreed to pay Chelsea a £1.8 million loan fee to secure Disasi for the remainder of the 2025–26 campaign. Upon his arrival in East London, Disasi rapidly integrated into the starting eleven, earning support from the fanbase for his physical presence and defensive work across 17 matches. Despite those efforts, West Ham United accumulated 39 points over 38 matches, missing safety by two points and confirming their relegation to the EFL Championship alongside Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

How could this transfer agreement affect West Ham United and their supporters?

Should Axel Disasi complete a permanent transfer to West Ham United, the development would significantly impact Nuno Espírito Santo’s side and their supporters as they prepare for life in the EFL Championship.

For the squad, securing a proven, senior international centre-back would provide critical stability to a backline seeking an immediate promotion back to the Premier League. Retaining a player who already possesses familiarity with the manager’s tactical system avoids the need for an extended adaptation period. Conversely, if the deal fails to materialize due to the player seeking top-flight football elsewhere, West Ham United’s recruitment team will be forced to redirect their focus to alternative targets late in the transfer window, potentially delaying squad cohesion ahead of the new campaign.

For the supporters, Disasi’s return would serve as a major statement of intent from the club’s board, demonstrating financial backing and ambition to compete at the top of the Championship despite the financial drawbacks of relegation.