Chelsea have been handed a transfer boost as Bournemouth are reportedly interested in signing one of their ‘bomb-squad’ players.
The Blues are in action on Friday night as they travel to London rivals West Ham, looking for their first win of the season following a goalless draw with Crystal Palace last weekend.
Chelsea have had an impressive transfer window so far, spending £242million on eight signings but also raising £222m through selling unwanted stars like Noni Madueke, Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
But there are still several exiled players who they need to move on before deadline day on September 1, including Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell.
Disasi only moved to Stamford Bridge from Monaco two years ago in a £38m transfer but he is not in Enzo Maresca’s plans, with the defender loaned out to Aston Villa in the second-half of last season.
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He was left out of the squad for the victorious Club World Cup campaign and was nowhere to seen for the Palace draw despite Chelsea’s injury issues at centre-back.
Newcastle’s interest in the 27-year-old appears to have quietened while Villarreal were put off by Chelsea’s asking price of £21-26m.
But the Blues’ hopes of selling Disasi have been raised, with The Guardian reporting that Bournemouth are ‘exploring a move’ for the France international.
The Cherries are in the process of completely rebuilding their defence after losing their first-choice centre-backs Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen to PSG and Real Madrid, while star left-back Milos Kerkez joined Liverpool.
They have bought centre-back Bafode Diakite and were one of many Premier League clubs keen on recruiting Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong but it seems the highly-rated teenager is staying put, with attention turning to Disasi.
The south coast club have already done business with the west Londoners this summer, signing goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic for £25m.
Andoni Iraola reacts to Bournemouth’s interest in Axel Disasi
In his press conference ahead of Bournemouth’s clash against Wolves on Saturday, Andoni Iraola was asked directly if he would like Disasi to join his team.
And while the Cherries manager refused to comment on specific players, he confirmed that signing a centre-back is: ‘Our main focus right now.
‘We have to be aware of the market and try to improve in every position, but that is the focus of the club at the moment.’
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