Crystal Palace to Submit Offer for Chelsea Defender Axel Disasi, South London 2026

Key Points

• Formal Bid Pending: Crystal Palace are reportedly preparing to submit an official transfer proposal to Chelsea for French defender Axel Disasi.
• Direct Replacement: The 28-year-old central defender has been identified by Palace as their primary target to replace Maxence Lacroix, who has completed a transfer to Chelsea.
• Club-to-Club Dialogue: Direct negotiations between Crystal Palace and Chelsea are actively underway to reach an agreement on the player’s valuation and transfer structure.
• Loan Spell in East London: Disasi spent the second half of the 2025–26 campaign on loan at West Ham United, making 17 appearances (16 starts) and scoring one goal, though he was unable to prevent the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship.
• Future at Stamford Bridge: Disasi is not expected to fit into head coach Xabi Alonso’s plans at Chelsea, despite holding a contract through until June 2029 following his €45 million move from AS Monaco in 2023.
• Widespread Interest: Beyond Selhurst Park, interest in the five-cap French international is being monitored by clubs further south as well as several teams in Italy’s Serie A.

Crystal Palace FC (South London News) August 3, 2026 – Crystal Palace are set to submit a formal transfer offer to Chelsea for French international central defender Axel Disasi as negotiations between the two London clubs progress. According to reporting by RMC Sport, the Eagles have prioritized the 28-year-old defender as their primary transfer target to reinforce their backline following the departure of Maxence Lacroix to Stamford Bridge. Direct talks between Palace executives and Chelsea officials are currently underway to establish the financial framework of the potential transfer.

Why Are Crystal Palace Targetting Chelsea Centre-Back Axel Disasi?

As reported by Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport, Crystal Palace’s recruitment department identified Axel Disasi following the formal departure of 26-year-old French centre-back Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea. Having lost a key component of their defensive structure, the Eagles moved rapidly to target Disasi as the ideal direct replacement to maintain stability in their defensive unit ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

As outlined by RMC Sport, negotiations between Crystal Palace and Chelsea are progressing as the South London side seeks to secure Disasi’s signature. The French defender is under contract at Chelsea until 2029, having originally joined the West London club from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in the summer of 2023 for a reported transfer fee of €45 million (£38.8 million). However, with Chelsea under the tactical direction of manager Xabi Alonso, Disasi is not expected to feature prominently in the first-team squad for the upcoming season, opening the door for a permanent or structured departure from Stamford Bridge.

What Are the Details of Axel Disasi’s Recent Spell at West Ham United and Chelsea Status?

According to analysis by RMC Sport, Axel Disasi spent the second half of the 2025–26 season on loan at West Ham United in an effort to secure consistent first-team football. During his tenure at the London Stadium, the Gonesse-born defender successfully re-established his match sharpness and form, becoming a central figure in the Hammers’ defensive line.

As detailed in the report by RMC Sport, Disasi accumulated 17 total appearances for West Ham in all competitions, starting 16 of those fixtures and recording one goal. Despite his individual defensive contributions and regular involvement in east London, West Ham were unable to avoid relegation to the EFL Championship at the conclusion of the 2025–26 Premier League season. Consequently, a permanent stay at West Ham has not materialized, leaving the 28-year-old open to alternative options that permit him to remain in top-flight football.

Which Rival Clubs Are Monitoring Axel Disasi’s Transfer Availability?

While Crystal Palace are actively preparing an official bid, RMC Sport reports that Selhurst Park is not the sole prospective destination for the five-cap French international. Interest in the defender extends across Europe, with multiple suitors assessing his situation as Chelsea look to streamline their defensive depth chart.

According to RMC Sport, clubs located further south as well as prospective suitors in Italy’s Serie A are actively monitoring Disasi’s status at Stamford Bridge. However, Crystal Palace’s immediate willingness to enter formal negotiations and present a concrete offer places the South London side in a strong position as talks continue.

Background of the Particular Development

Axel Disasi originally emerged through the youth academy at Paris FC before making his professional breakthrough at Reims, where he won the Ligue 2 title. He subsequently earned a high-profile transfer to AS Monaco in 2020, spending three seasons as a defensive cornerstone in Ligue 1 and European competitions. His performances in France earned him a call-up to the French national team, where he earned five caps and featured as a substitute in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina.

In August 2023, Chelsea signed Disasi on a six-year contract worth €45 million. Over his initial tenure in West London, Disasi featured regularly under previous managerial regimes before squad restructuring and subsequent tactical changes under Xabi Alonso altered his standing within the team. The arrival of new defensive reinforcements—including Lacroix from Crystal Palace—further crowded Chelsea’s defensive options, prompting Disasi’s mid-season loan to West Ham United in early 2026 and setting the stage for his potential permanent departure this summer.

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Prediction: How Will This Development Affect Crystal Palace and Their Supporters?

Should Crystal Palace successfully finalize the acquisition of Axel Disasi from Chelsea, the development will directly impact the club’s defensive setup and provide immediate clarity for supporters following the departure of Maxence Lacroix.

• Immediate Premier League Pedigree: Securing Disasi provides manager Oliver Glasner with an experienced, 28-year-old international defender who already possesses extensive Premier League experience from his spells at Chelsea and West Ham United. This minimizes the adaptation period typically required for foreign recruits entering the league.
• Tactical Continuity: Disasi’s physical presence, aerial dominant play, and capability of playing both as a right-sided central defender and right-back suit the high-intensity defensive structure deployed at Selhurst Park. His addition ensures Palace maintain technical stability in their build-up play from the back.
• Reassurance for Supporters: Replacing a key departure like Lacroix with a proven senior international signals ambition to the Crystal Palace fanbase. It demonstrates proactive transfer governance by resolving a squad vacancy swiftly before the Premier League season commences, alleviating concerns regarding defensive depth.