CRYSTAL PALACE PURSUE DISASI LOAN AFTER LACROIX CHELSEA MOVE

Crystal Palace are pursuing a loan move for Axel Disasi following Maxence Lacroix's departure to Chelsea. Lacroix completed a £52 million transfer to the Blues this week, leaving Palace to rebuild their defence under new manager Pierre Sage. According to reports, Palace view Disasi as a short-term solution whilst pursuing other targets in the transfer market. The 28-year-old French defender spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United, where his performances impressed.

Disasi joined Chelsea from AS Monaco in summer 2023 for £38.5 million but has struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge. He now has three years remaining on his Chelsea contract and is deemed surplus to requirements at the club. Palace's interest in a loan deal contrasts with Disasi's preference for a permanent move, though no offers have appealed to him thus far. Disasi previously spent time on loan at Aston Villa before his West Ham spell.

Palace's defensive rebuild has been complicated by recent departures. Marc Guehi left for Manchester City in January, whilst Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal last summer. The club have made one signing so far, with Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza arriving as a free agent from Celta Vigo. Reports suggest Palace's primary target is Reims' teenage centre-back Raphael Le Guen, with Disasi serving as a temporary option rather than Lacroix's direct replacement.