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Crystal Palace are close to reaching an agreement with Chelsea to sign out-of-favour centre-back Axel Disasi on a season-long loan. The 28-year-old French defender has been completely sidelined at Stamford Bridge and is now in line for another temporary move across London to strengthen Pierre Sage's back line before the new season.

Palace are advancing towards a loan agreement for Chelsea outcast Disasi, according to reports from Sky Sports News and talkSPORT. The 28-year-old central defender has not played for the Blues since January 2025 after being pushed into their 'bomb squad' before spending the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United. Palace have acted quickly to secure the Frenchman's signature as they look to replace the gap created by Maxence Lacroix's £52m move to Stamford Bridge.

New Palace manager Sage has made it clear that his team are in pressing need of an experienced Premier League centre-back capable of bringing natural leadership to the defence.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Sage said: "Yes. We need a player in this department, a player with a lot of games, if possible, in the Premier League. We need players, but we need a leader and that's why we need to wait a little bit to find a good one."

Responding to the links with Disasi, the manager added: "He's a player from Chelsea, it's difficult for me to speak about a player of another club, but I hear the same noise as you."

Disasi's future in West London was effectively decided this week when his No. 2 shirt was given to new signing Marco Palestra by new manager Xabi Alonso. Although the defender drew strong interest from Serie A giants AC Milan and Roma after an impressive spell with the Hammers, he now appears likely to stay in the Premier League. His arrival would add to summer signings Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oscar Mingueza as Palace attempt to restore defensive solidity following Marc Guehi's January departure and Lacroix's summer exit.

Palace begin their 2026-27 Premier League season with an away trip to Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. Club officials are racing to complete the formalities so that Disasi can be registered and worked into Sage's back-three setup. The French defender could face an immediate test of his match sharpness as he aims to rebuild his standing in the top flight during a demanding opening stretch of the campaign.