West Ham’s season continues to head in the wrong direction. Sitting 18th in the Premier League with half the campaign gone, the threat of relegation is becoming increasingly real.
While goals have been hard to come by, the bigger concern has been at the back.
The Hammers have conceded 38 times in 19 league matches — the second-worst defensive record in the division, bettered only by Wolves.
With that in mind, reinforcements in defence are now firmly on the agenda.
West Ham Open Disasi Talks
According to The Times journalist Gary Jacob, West Ham have made initial enquiries over a move for Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi.
Nuno Espírito Santo is keen to add a commanding defender in January, and the French international has emerged as a serious option. Disasi previously turned down a loan switch to the London Stadium in the summer, but circumstances have changed.
The 27-year-old has fallen well out of favour at Stamford Bridge and has even been training away from the senior squad, working instead with Chelsea’s youth sides. With no clear path back into first-team contention, a January exit now looks likely.
West Ham believe Disasi — described as “brilliant” by Jamie Carragher earlier in his Chelsea career — could offer immediate improvement and much-needed authority at the heart of their defence. However, there are logistical hurdles.
The Hammers have only one remaining domestic loan slot after bringing in Igor Julio from Brighton, who has barely featured since arriving.
Despite that, a deal could still appeal to all parties. Disasi is eager to resurrect his career, and West Ham can offer something Chelsea cannot at present: regular football.
If assurances over minutes are made, a move to east London may now be far more attractive than it was just a few months ago.
