Crystal Palace Near Loan Deal for Chelsea Defender Axel Disasi

Crystal Palace are closing in on a loan deal for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, with the Frenchman set for a medical on Friday ahead of a season-long move.

The 26-year-old, part of Chelsea’s so-called “bomb squad” of unwanted first-team players, rebuilt his reputation during an eye-catching loan spell at West Ham in the second half of last season. The Hammers went down, but Disasi’s stock went up. His form in a struggling side drew interest from across the Premier League and beyond.

Back in January, Disasi turned down several escape routes from Stamford Bridge before eventually choosing West Ham. That decision paid off. West Ham have since explored a permanent deal this summer, only to find themselves overtaken by their London rivals.

Palace, preparing for their first campaign under new head coach Pierre Sage, have moved decisively. The club sold Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea earlier in the window for £52million, leaving a sizeable gap at the heart of their defence and a clear need for experience at centre-back.

Asked on Thursday whether a central defender would arrive before the window shuts, Sage did not hesitate.

“Yes. We need a player in this department, a player with a lot of games, if possible, in the Premier League,” he said. “We need players, but we need a leader and that's why we need to wait a little bit to find a good one.”

The pressure to find that leader has only grown as the season approaches. Disasi, with top-flight minutes under his belt and a point to prove after being frozen out at Chelsea, fits the profile.

When pressed on whether Disasi was the specific target, Sage kept his cards close to his chest.

“He's a player from Chelsea,” he replied.

If Palace complete the deal as expected, Sage will have his organiser at the back, Chelsea will move on another surplus asset, and West Ham will be left wondering how they let a key piece of their rebuild slip to a rival.