Aston Villa poised for late deadline day defender deal after Chelsea breakthrough
Villa are racing to complete a late deadline day loan deal for Axel Disasi after finally reaching an agreement with Chelsea over the defender.
The France international centre-back is on his way to Bodymoor Heath after a breakthrough in talks hours before Monday’s 11pm deadline.
Disasi’s future had been the subject of intense speculation with the 26-year-old keen on joining Villa but Chelsea reluctant to deal with a club they see as rivals in the race for Champions League.
Villa were put off by what they viewed as an excessive loan fee being demanded by the London club and at one stage walked away from the negotiating table.
But an agreement was eventually reached with Villa paying a considerably reduced amount than first demanded for Disasi’s services.
Chelsea had previously agreed a loan deal with Tottenham but Disasi always made clear his preference to join Villa.
His arrival will add some much-needed depth to a Villa defence depleted by injuries to Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings and the sale of Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce earlier in the month.
Ezri Konsa is currently the only fit senior centre-back, with midfielder Boubacar Kamara having deputised in the heart of defence for the past two matches.
Disasi will become Villa’s fifth signing of what has been a hectic transfer window. The club can register a maximum of three new signings for the Champions League knockout stages.
Paris St-Germain forward Marco Asensio became the fourth new arrival when he completed his loan move earlier on deadline day.
Villa boss Unai Emery is a long-time admirer of the Spain international, who was a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid. The deal, which does not include an option to buy, will see Villa cover the whole of the 29-year-old’s salary, thought to be more than £200,000-a-week.
