One of Chelsea’s key defenders from last season is allegedly contemplating his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea defender Axel Disasi is reportedly open to departing Stamford Bridge before the end of the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old arrived at the club ahead of 2023-24 and subsequently became one of the club’s most important players at the back.
A total of 41 starts and three substitute outings were made by the former Monaco man in all competitions, scoring three goals.
As it stands, though, Disasi finds himself at the bottom of the defensive pecking order having been unable to play any part of pre-season under new head coach Enzo Maresca.
Disasi underwent hernia surgery during the early part of the summer and was only in a position to return to the squad at the weekend, where he remained as an unused substitute against Inter Milan.
That has left him out of the running to feature in the starting lineup when Chelsea play host to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
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Disasi open to transfer
There have been no previous suggestions that Disasi is unhappy at Chelsea at a time when he still has five years remaining on his contract.
However, according to the Daily Mail, he is prepared to listen to any offers that may come his way over the coming weeks.
The report claims that there are several unnamed French and Italian clubs who are monitoring any developments at the West Londoners.
Chelsea are not short of central defenders with Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana the quartet that are currently ahead of Disasi.
Renato Veiga can be added to those options, providing that he is not loaned out, while Trevoh Chalobah has been cast aside from the senior ranks despite starring at the back end of last season.
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How would Chelsea react to a bid?
Having paid £38.5m for Disasi and his reputation having only been enhanced, it would take an offer above the aforementioned fee for Chelsea to consider a sale.
Realistically, only Paris Saint-Germain have the financial clout to do that unless another interested club makes a notable sale.
From Maresca’s perspective, he will likely want to retain Disasi’s services given Chelsea’s poor defensive performances in his absence.