Aston Villa secure Chelsea defender Axel Disasi on loan until the end of the season, with a £5 million fee agreed between the clubs.
The 26-year-old, who has been a key figure at Stamford Bridge this season, appears to have opted for a switch to Villa Park despite late attempts from Tottenham to hijack the move.
Spurs had initially struck a similar deal with Chelsea but failed twice to convince Disasi to move to north London. Even after the Frenchman rejected their advances over the weekend, Tottenham made another push on Monday in a last-ditch effort to revive negotiations. However, Disasi ultimately chose Aston Villa, signaling his preference for Unai Emery’s side.
Chelsea’s hierarchy had reportedly favored a move to Spurs rather than Villa, as they see Emery’s team as direct competition in the race for Champions League qualification. Despite internal discussions at Stamford Bridge, Disasi’s decision was final, paving the way for his imminent arrival at Villa Park.
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His first outing in claret and blue, however, will have to wait. Disasi is cup-tied and will miss Villa’s FA Cup clash against Tottenham on Sunday, having already featured for Chelsea against Morecambe in the third round. Additionally, he will be unavailable when Villa take on his parent club in the Premier League on February 22.
With those restrictions in mind, Disasi’s likely debut for Villa is set for February 15 against Ipswich. His presence will bolster a defensive unit that has been key to Villa’s impressive campaign, as they push to solidify their position in both domestic and European competitions.
This move marks a significant defensive addition for Villa as they look to maintain momentum in their hunt for Champions League football. Meanwhile, Chelsea will hope that Disasi’s temporary departure allows them to streamline their squad while still keeping options open for the future.
