🚨 BREAKING Aston Villa set to complete deal for £38m powerhouse after Chelsea ‘told him he can leave’
Chelsea Defender Axel Disasi Told He Can Leave as Aston Villa Consider Summer Move
Chelsea have reportedly informed French centre-back Axel Disasi that he is free to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, paving the way for a potential return to Aston Villa. The Midlands club, who are aiming to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of a challenging new season, now have a clearer path to pursue the 26-year-old.
Disasi spent the latter part of last season on loan at Villa Park, although he featured sparingly during that spell. Despite making only 10 appearances in claret and blue, Villa manager Unai Emery is said to be considering a permanent move for the former AS Monaco defender. Chelsea’s decision to omit Disasi from their 27-man squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup has signaled their intent to part ways with the player, who they signed for £38 million in 2023.
Emery is believed to be particularly keen on strengthening the right side of his defence, an area where Disasi could provide valuable depth and experience. However, Villa are approaching the situation with caution due to financial constraints linked to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Any major transfer activity is likely to be postponed until after the June 30 PSR deadline.
Sources close to the club, including Birmingham World, suggest that while Disasi remains a possible target, Villa are currently evaluating a range of defensive options. Chelsea are expected to demand a significant fee for the French international, as evidenced by the hefty £5 million loan fee they charged for his short-term move in January — a figure Villa found to be steep. As a result, the club is also exploring alternative options who may offer better value.
Among those being considered are Valencia’s highly-rated young defender Cristhian Mosquera and Osasuna’s Enzo Boyomo. Another name reportedly back on Villa’s radar is Netherlands international Lutsharel Geertruida. The versatile defender was a top target for Villa last summer but ultimately joined RB Leipzig instead. However, with reports emerging from Sky Germany that Geertruida and Leipzig are now mutually unhappy with the current situation, Villa may look to reignite their interest.
Though a permanent move for Disasi appears unlikely at this point, the door remains slightly open. Despite his limited impact during his loan spell — where he cost the club an estimated £650,000 per appearance and over £10,000 per minute played — there is still belief that a more favorable fee could be negotiated if Chelsea are keen to offload him permanently. The player, capped five times by France, may also be motivated by the chance to re-establish himself as a key figure at a club, something he enjoyed during his 129-game stint at Monaco prior to his move to England.
Beyond the centre-back position, Aston Villa are looking to reinforce several areas across the pitch. Emery and the recruitment team are eyeing new signings in multiple positions, including striker, left winger, central midfield, right-back, and goalkeeper.
One exciting prospect on the radar is Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez, a young talent identified as a potential solution to boost Villa’s left-wing options. In goal, Villa have drawn up a shortlist that includes Lille’s Lucas Chevalier and France No.1 Mike Maignan — although the latter would likely command a hefty transfer fee.
In midfield, Villa were close to securing a deal for Norwegian wonderkid Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg. However, the talented teenager has opted to join Premier League champions Manchester City instead, in a move worth around £12 million. While central midfield isn’t a top priority, Emery is still keen to add further quality to complement the likes of Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana, John McGinn, and Ross Barkley.
Another intriguing name linked to Villa is Marco Asensio. The experienced Spanish attacker is reportedly a target for a permanent transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Talks have taken place with the French giants, and with just 12 months remaining on Asensio’s current contract, Villa are hopeful of negotiating a cut-price deal for the former Real Madrid star.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Villa are expected to ramp up their activity following the PSR deadline, with several deals — including one for Disasi — potentially back on the table as the club prepares for a demanding campaign that includes European competition.