Newcastle interested in Axel Disasi but baulk at €30 million Chelsea price tag | OneFootball

Newcastle United are interested in signing Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, according to L’Equipe.

However, they have baulked at the €30 million price tag the Blues have slapped on Disasi. Villarreal have been linked with him, but the asking price is an issue.

Disasi is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, and Newcastle have been eyeing him for some time now.

He was on their radar before he joined Aston Villa on loan in January and remains of interest to the club.

The former Reims and Monaco defender failed to convince at Villa, and they refused to sign him permanently.

Newcastle could move for Disasi this summer. Central pairing Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both 33 and entering the twilight of their careers.

Sven Botman has struggled with injuries, leaving the Magpies in need of defensive reinforcements.

They wanted Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, while interest in Italian prodigy Giorgio Scalvini has not materialised into anything. Disasi is Newcastle’s fall-back option.

Newcastle need to look elsewhere

Disasi might not be the right fit for Newcastle.

He struggles to read the game consistently and is often exposed when dragged into wide areas, an issue in the intense defensive set-up that Newcastle manager Eddie Howe employs.

While physically imposing, his lack of agility and poor anticipation could prove to be a liability against the fast-paced attackers in the Premier League. At €30m, the risk outweighs the reward.

Newcastle would be wiser to redirect their focus towards more adaptable defenders who can grow into the system and provide long-term value.