Aston Villa agree personal terms with Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi | OneFootball

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has agreed to personal terms with Aston Villa.

The Frenchman is said to have received interest from multiple clubs around Europe ahead of an anticipated move away from Chelsea, but has chosen Villa as his preferred destination following direct talks with Unai Emery.

The Spanish head coach was deemed ‘crucial’ to get the green light from the player, and a deal is now up to the two sides to reach a full agreement.

The 26-year-old signed for The Blues for €45m from Monaco in August 2023, featuring heavily last season with 29 Premier League starts at centre-back in both a back-three and a back-four under now USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino.

However, Disasi has been out of favour with Enzo Maresca in charge, making just four league starts from right-back this season, and, after a disappointing performance in 2-0 loss to Ipswich last month, was on the sidelines as 18-year-old Josh Acheampong made his debut alongside Levi Colwill against Crystal Palace.

Trevoh Chalobah starting both league games since being recalled from his loan at Palace has further moved Disasi back in the pecking order for a starting spot, and so both player and club have been expected to move on this January.

As for Villa, the potential deal would see them seal much-needed defensive reinforcements. Diego Carlos has departed for José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe for €10m having suffered with multiple injuries since his €31m transfer to The Villans in July 2022.

The Claret and Blues’ also saw Tyrone Mings subbed off after 38 minutes with a suspected knee injury in their 1-1 draw against West Ham this weekend, despite the 31-year-old only six league games into his return from an Anterior-Cruciate Ligament tear in August 2023 that saw him miss the entirety of last season.

Travis Levison | Get Football