Football
Exclusive: Aston Villa Open Talks to Re-Sign Axel Disasi on Loan from Chelsea
Aston Villa is considering bringing back Chelsea's Axel Disasi on loan for next season. The French defender is eager for regular playing time after struggling to secure a spot at Stamford Bridge. Villa boss Unai Emery is a fan of Disasi and willing to give him a chance to excel. Other clubs are interested but his high wages could be a stumbling block.
Chelsea FC v KAA Gent - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 by Visionhaus | Getty Images
Aston Villa have expressed an interest in resigning Chelsea defender Axel Disasi on loan for next season, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The France international centre-back enjoyed ten games on loan at Villa last season having found himself surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
And now Villa have held initial discussions with the 27-year-old about a return to Villa Park.
It was widely reported last season that Villa shelled out £5million to land Disasi on loan, as well as covering his £60,000 weekly wages.
He joined Chelsea in a six-year deal in August 2023, but played just six games for the Blues last season his high-profile £38.5million move.
Disasi played 31 times in his debut season in the top-flight having left the French Ligue 1, but the five-cap international has struggled to cement a regular starting role under new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
PECKING ORDER
Having dropped down the pecking order, Disasi is understandably hungry to play regular football – and Villa is a good option having enjoyed his time with the club last season.
The former Monaco man played seven times in the Premier League last season following his loan switch, as well as high-profile Champions League fixtures against Club Brugge and eventual winners Paris St-Germain.
Villa boss Unai Emery is believed to be a big fan of Disasi and prepared to give him the chance to fight for a regular starting role this season.
Burnley and Sunderland are both understood to have been keeping tabs on the experienced defender, but Disasi’s sizeable wages are thought to be a stumbling block in any deal, but a loan move could still work for anyone keen to sign him.
Chelsea are jam-packed with international talent and Disasi knows he faces a real battle to force his way into Maresca’s starting line-up, especially having missed out on a place in the Blues’ squad currently competing at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.