Crystal Palace Nears Loan Move for Chelsea Defender Axel Disasi

Crystal Palace are closing in on a loan move for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, in a deal that would reshape Pierre Sage’s back line before the window shuts.

The Frenchman is expected to undergo a medical on Friday ahead of a season-long switch, with Palace moving quickly to secure a centre-back who already knows the Premier League and London life inside out.

Disasi rebuilt his reputation at West Ham in the second half of last season. Even as the Hammers slid towards relegation, he emerged with credit, turning in a series of assured performances that kept his name high on shortlists across the division. That form has fuelled a busy summer of interest.

Back in January, he had turned down several escape routes from Stamford Bridge. Stuck in Chelsea’s so‑called “bomb squad”, training away from the first-team picture, he waited for the right opportunity and chose West Ham. It paid off. Now, another London club is ready to hand him a central role.

West Ham pushed to keep him. They explored a permanent deal in this window but look set to lose out to their London rivals, with Palace now in pole position as they gear up for their first campaign under Sage.

The move would address a glaring need at Selhurst Park. Palace sold Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea earlier in the summer for £52million, cashing in on one of their key central defenders and leaving a sizeable hole in the heart of their defence. Disasi’s arrival would go a long way to filling it, bringing depth and experience in a position Sage has openly flagged as a priority.

Asked on Thursday whether Palace would bring in a centre-back before the deadline, Sage did not hide the club’s intentions.

“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.”

Pressed on whether that leader could be Disasi, Sage kept his cards close to his chest, offering only: “He's a player from Chelsea.”

If Palace get this over the line, that description will not apply for much longer.