Aston Villa send in official bid for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi | OneFootball

Aston Villa are keen on securing defensive reinforcement and have submitted an official bid for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.

The Frenchman could be the next arrival at Villa Park if the Villains can get the deal over the line before the close of the window.

Villa manager Unai Emery wants to strengthen the defence following the departure of Diego Carlos earlier this month.

Adding depth and quality at the back is essential as Aston Villa bid to secure a top-four Premier League finish and make a deep run in the UEFA Champions League. Disasi has emerged as a prime target.

Villa reached an agreement with the player for personal terms days ago. Disasi prefers Villa amid interest from multiple European clubs after direct talks with Emery, who has played a pivotal role in convincing the 26-year-old that Villa Park is the best destination for him at this stage of his career.

Perhaps Disasi will fare better at Villa than he did at Chelsea. The France international (with five caps) joined the club from AS Monaco in 2023 and was tipped to become a defensive leader but has struggled to convince during his time at the club.

Former manager Mauricio Pochettino gave him numerous chances to prove himself last term, and while he did show good strength in duels, his lack of spatial understanding was a problem. He had lapses in concentration and failed to read and cut out several avoidable dangerous situations.

This season, he has struggled to get a look-in under Enzo Maresca.

Maybe at Villa, away from unstable Chelsea, Emery can help him develop into a more capable Premier League defender.

Interestingly, Villa and Chelsea could still hash out more business before the close of the transfer window, with the Villans interested in a swoop for attacker Joao Felix. The Portuguese forward is also looking for a change of scenery.