Exclusive: Leeds United set sights on Axel Disasi
Leeds United are plotting a January move for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, sources have told Football Insider.
The Yorkshire giants are exploring the market for a centre-back after Joe Rodon suffered an injury in Sunday’s draw with Sunderland.
The Wales international is a doubt for their next game at Liverpool on Thursday after being taken off in the 31st minute against the Black Cats.
Sources say Leeds have an interest in taking Disasi on loan for the second half of the season.
The defender has not made an appearance for Chelsea this campaign after spending the second half of last term on loan at Aston Villa.
Chelsea keen to offload Axel Disasi
Disasi has spent the entirety of the season so far in what has been dubbed the ‘bomb squad’, as Chelsea look to force him out of the club.
The defender and Raheem Sterling have been expelled from Enzo Maresca‘s squad amid the Blues’ failures to secure them moves away.
Both players spent last season on loan, but remained with the Blues over the summer as interest dwindled.
Roma have shown interest in Disasi, but Chelsea will have to jump through several hoops to allow the player to leave on an international loan.
FIFA‘s rules restrict clubs to having just six players at a time on international loans, and the Blues’ spots are all already in use.
If a domestic move could be arranged, Chelsea would be able to offload some of the players’ wages while, hopefully, building interest ahead of a potential summer exit.
Disasi signed a six-year contract when he arrived from Monaco in a deal reportedly worth around £38.5million in 2023.
Unai Emery’s comments on Disasi will surprise
Disasi moved on loan to Villa in January, and was a mainstay in Unai Emery‘s team for his first weeks at the club.
The defender started Premier League matches against Ipswich Town, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Brentford, and by all accounts, he played well.
Speaking after one particularly impressive Disasi display, Emery said: “Of course, when he played against Liverpool as a centre-back he played good.
“When he played as a right full-back at Palace and Brugge he was progressively getting better to try and get confidence. Today I think he went one step forward more, playing and succeeding better.”
Reports in France suggested that Villa would like to sign the 27-year-old permanently, but by the end of the season, he was resigned to the bench and eventually out of the squad.
A move to Leeds could serve as another opportunity for Disasi, as he attempts to revitalise his Premier League career.