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

Newcastle United are interested in Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, and the Frenchman is keen on staying in the Premier League amid contact from Villarreal.

However, according to L’Equipe, suitors like Newcastle are baulking at the €30 million price tag that the Blues have slapped on Disasi.

The demand is deterring them and others from making a formal approach.

Disasi is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, and Newcastle have been eyeing the 27-year-old for some time now.

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

The former Reims and Monaco defender failed to convince at Aston Villa, and the Villains refused to sign him permanently, letting him leave for his parent club.

Newcastle are sniffing around the goods, bidding to bolster the central defence. Central pairing Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both 33 and entering the twilight of their careers.

Sven Botman has struggled with injuries at St. James’ Park, leaving the Magpies needing reinforcement for the rearguard.

They wanted Marc Guehi, but Liverpool are in the race for the England international, complicating matters for the Toons.

Meanwhile, interest in 21-year-old Italian prodigy Giorgio Scalvini has not materialised into anything. From the look of things, Disasi is Newcastle’s fall-back option.

But 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 Eddie Howe employs.

While physically imposing, his lack of agility and poor anticipation could be a liability against fast Premier League attacks. At €30 million, the risk outweighs the reward.

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