Lyon have opened negotiations to sign Axel Disasi from Chelsea within the January transfer window, in line with reports in France.
Disasi faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge after failing to play a single minute for Chelsea this term, having effectively been frozen out of the first-team by Enzo Maresca.
The 27-year-old central defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he made ten appearances in all competitions, and had been keen to secure one other temporary move ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
But while Disasi was forced to coach away from the remaining of Maresca’s first-team and demoted to Chelsea’s so-called ‘bomb squad’, the centre-back remained with the Club World Cup winners because the transfer deadline got here and went.
The Blues could be open to the prospect of selling Disasi this winter, however the conditions would must be right for all parties to ensure that a everlasting transfer to be sanctioned.
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L’Equipe report that Lyon’s management are eyeing a possible deal and have made contact with Disasi’s camp to debate his availability, with talks in place for ‘several days’.
Lyon are set to lose each of their first-choice centre-backs – Angola’s Clinton Mata and Senegal’s Moussa Niakhate – to the Africa Cup of Nations this month and are in ‘urgent need’ of reinforcements at the center of their defence.
The Ligue 1 outfit are on the hunt for a centre-half with proven pedigree and experience and one that might be able to going straight into Paulo Fonseca’s starting XI.
It’s claimed Lyon are exploring the prospect of signing Disasi on loan, but a everlasting deal for the France international stays a possible option.
There are also advanced discussions in place for Lyon to capture 19-year-old Real Madrid and Brazil forward Endrick on loan for the second half of the campaign.
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Chelsea signed Disasi from Monaco for a fee within the region of £39million in August 2023 and the Frenchman has made 61 appearances in all competitions for the club in that point.
Disasi was an element of Maresca’s squad that won the Europa Conference League title last season. He was also in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI that suffered defeat to Liverpool within the 2024 Carabao Cup final.
His current contract in west London runs through to June 2029.
In September, Maresca admitted he hadn’t seen or heard from either Disasi or Raheem Sterling, who can also be still yet to feature for Chelsea this season.
‘They’re Chelsea players, but in the mean time they’re training individually and the plan is to proceed in this manner,’ the Chelsea boss told reporters.
‘Because the season began, I haven’t seen either of them. I haven’t seen Axel or Raheem.
‘They train at a unique time and on a unique pitch. I haven’t seen them for the reason that start of the season.’
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