West Ham United have reportedly agreed a deal in principle with Chelsea for Axel Disasi, with personal terms also verbally agreed with the defender.
However, the 28-year-old has asked for up to two weeks before making a final decision as he waits to discover whether rival interest develops into firm offers.
According to Simon Phillips, West Ham and Chelsea have reached an agreement over a permanent transfer. Disasi has also verbally accepted personal terms, while the proposed contract contains a clause allowing him to leave if the Hammers fail to win promotion.
The development represents a significant change in the defender’s position. Disasi had previously appeared reluctant to return to the London Stadium because West Ham were relegated to the Championship.
ReadWestHam reported on 21 July that West Ham had made contact over bringing Disasi back, but the France international was then understood to favour remaining in a top division.
Axel Disasi makes West Ham wait despite agreement
West Ham have clearly made progress since that update. The clubs now have an agreement in principle and Disasi appears willing to accept Championship football, provided he has protection if Nuno Espírito Santo’s side fail to return immediately to the Premier League.
The remaining problem is competition. Disasi has asked for between one and two weeks to establish whether other interested clubs are serious before giving West Ham his final answer.
AC Milan and Roma have previously enquired about the Chelsea defender, while Crystal Palace have also discussed his situation. Chelsea have been seeking a permanent exit as Xabi Alonso reduces the number of centre-backs in his squad.
A return would give West Ham a player who already knows Nuno, the squad and the London Stadium. Disasi spent the second half of last season on loan with the Hammers and became an important part of the defence despite their eventual relegation.
West Ham have therefore done much of the difficult work required to complete the transfer.
For now, though, the final decision rests with Disasi as he waits to see whether his other options become concrete.
