Chelsea sign Axel Disasi from Monaco

Chelsea have completed the signing of defender Axel Disasi from Monaco for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old has put pen to paper on a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge, agreeing terms that will keep him at the club until 2029.

Disasi had been linked with Manchester United and Newcastle United earlier this summer, but Chelsea emerged as front-runners for his signature and they have now officially announced the transfer for a fee thought to be worth around £38.7m.

The centre-back is the latest arrival in another busy transfer window for the Blues, who are now under the management of Mauricio Pochettino following a disappointing 12th-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

Chelsea have already signed Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Angelo and Diego Moreira this summer, while earlier this week they tied young defender Levi Colwill down to a new long-term contract.

Blue is the colour, welcome Axel Disasi! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/7b15qiAtGJ

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 4, 2023

The exit door has been even busier at Stamford Bridge, with Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu, N'Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Abdul Baba Rahman all departing on a permanent basis.

Disasi's signature bolsters Pochettino's central defensive options, which had been depleted by a long-term injury for Wesley Fofana in addition to the exits of Koulibaly and Azpilicueta.

The France international spent three years at Monaco after joining them from Reims in 2020, making 129 appearances and scoring 10 goals for the club across all competitions.

The 6ft 3in defender featured in every Ligue 1 game last season, turning out 49 times overall in all competitions, while his form last year also earned him a call-up to the France squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

Disasi made his international debut at the tournament and played three times in total, including a late substitute appearance in the final defeat to Argentina.

Disasi could make his competitive debut for Chelsea when they get their new Premier League campaign underway at home to Liverpool on August 13.