Chelsea defender Axel Disasi is not being considered by Serie A giants Juventus but is on Villarreal’s shopping list.
The 26-year-old moved to Chelsea from Monaco in August 2023 for a fee of €45m (£38.5m) and signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Disasi played 44 times in all competitions last season under then head coach Mauricio Pochettino, but his minutes were marginalized under the leadership of Enzo Maresca. The Frenchman has only played five Premier League games so far, instead playing a more prominent role in the Conference League group stage games.
French publication L’Equipe say Disasi, who is a natural centre-back but can also play at right-back, is expected to leave the Blues before the end of the January transfer window, with the player and club having already agreed a loan move.
Juventus is said to be one of the clubs considering a move for the five-time France international, an Italian journalist Matteo Moretto has since reported that Disasi is not the player profile the multiple Scudetto winners are looking for.
Former Europa League winners Villarreal have been mentioned as a potential way out for Disasi, while reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen were linked with a swoop by French media late last year.
Aston Villa are also touted as a possible destination for Disasi, with Unai Emery’s side ready to facilitate a departure for Fenerbahce-linked Diego Carlos if they are able to find an adequate replacement.
Chelsea recently recalled Trevoh Chalobah from a loan spell at Crystal Palace, potentially pushing Disasi further down the rankings, which also include academy graduate Josh Acheampong, after it was announced that Wesley Fofana will miss the rest of the season through injury could.
Benoit Badiashile is also out but Levi Colwill, Chelsea’s other key centre-back option, has started every Premier League game under Maresca after a long spell on Liverpool’s transfer list.