HAMMERS ON THE MOVE! Chelsea loan target lined up as West Ham prepare midfielder exit

West Ham United are turning their attention to Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea as they aim to maintain their recent upturn in form. The Hammers have recorded consecutive victories against Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, but those wins have not translated into a significant rise in the table, with Nottingham Forest collecting four points over the same period.
Although the gap has been reduced from seven points to five, Forest’s improvement under Sean Dyche highlights the level of consistency West Ham will need if they are to move clear of danger. Chelsea represent another major challenge, while off the pitch the club remain active in the transfer market as the January deadline approaches.
West Ham have already completed three signings this window, but with Forest also strengthening their squad, there is a growing sense that further additions are required. One player on the club’s radar is Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, with a loan move being considered.
Disasi fell out of favour under former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca and was instructed to train away from the senior squad. Since Liam Rosenior took charge, the centre-back has been reintegrated, but he is not expected to feature prominently in Chelsea’s short-term plans. Rosenior has acknowledged that Disasi still needs to regain match sharpness, making a temporary move an attractive option for all parties.
However, a report from The Guardian suggests West Ham would need to terminate their loan agreement for Igor Julio to proceed with the deal. The Hammers are also pursuing a loan move for Tottenham goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, and Premier League rules limit clubs to two domestic loan players.
With Julio having made just one league appearance, West Ham may be prepared to end his loan early, even if it involves a minor financial cost. Disasi, despite lacking game time this season, is viewed as a more reliable and experienced defensive option.