Aston Villa have completed the loan signing of defender Axel Disasi from Chelsea, with the player set to remain at Villa Park until the end of the current season. The transfer was confirmed following reports from MailOnline on Monday evening that indicated the deal was nearing completion, although an official announcement was not made before the transfer window closed at 11pm.
The loan agreement involves a fee of £5 million, which Aston Villa have agreed to pay Chelsea for Disasi's services. Tottenham Hotspur also expressed interest in acquiring the player, submitting a similar proposal to Chelsea. However, Spurs were unsuccessful in their attempts, as Disasi turned them down on two occasions over the weekend. Despite their efforts to re-engage in negotiations on Monday, it became evident that Disasi had a clear preference for joining Aston Villa.
There were suggestions of internal support within Chelsea for Disasi to consider a move to Tottenham, as the club views Unai Emery's side as serious contenders for a Champions League spot. Nevertheless, the defender ultimately chose Villa Park, reflecting his desire to contribute to a team that has demonstrated considerable ambition this season.
Aston Villa are set to face Tottenham in the FA Cup on Sunday, but Disasi will be unable to make his debut in this match due to cup-tied regulations, having previously played for Chelsea in the third round against Morecambe. Furthermore, he will miss the Premier League fixture against Chelsea on February 22. His anticipated first appearance for Aston Villa is scheduled for February 15 against Ipswich Town, marking the beginning of his tenure with the club as they continue to pursue their objectives in both domestic and European competitions.