West Ham learn Axel Disasi transfer fate as Chelsea decision reached

West Ham United have been strongly linked with a return for Axel Disasi this summer.

The 28-year-old defender enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with West Ham during the second half of last season.

He started all 14 of his Premier League appearances for the Hammers whilst on loan from Chelsea.

But with the Frenchman seemingly not in Xabi Alonso's plans, a Stamford Bridge exit this summer has been widely expected.

Nuno Espirito Santo has been quizzed about his potential London Stadium return, but has remained fairly tight-lipped over it.

However, the Portuguese gaffer now appears to have learnt whether West Ham still hold any chance of a reunion before the window shuts.

Who is Axel Disasi set to join amid West Ham return talk?

Disasi has been touted with a West Ham return all summer, and many Irons supporters would love to see it happen.

However, everyone connected with the Hammers is now set to face disappointment in this regard.

Fabrizio Romano claims on Friday that Disasi has reached a "verbal agreement" to join Crystal Palace.

He claims that Disasi is already undergoing his Palace medical on Friday morning, and thus could be announced by the Eagles imminently.

Romano states it's a loan deal for the defender, with Chelsea receiving a fee for the transfer whilst his wages will be covered by Palace.

But is a move to Selhurst Park be a wise move for him, or would a return to the London Stadium have been a smarter one?

Why Disasi has greater starting opportunity with Palace than West Ham

Given Disasi is now set to stay in the Premier League, some West Ham fans may feel he's taking prestige over more regular football in the Championship.

However, when you look at Palace's options at the back, he's probably closer to a starting role at Selhurst Park than he would be with the Hammers.

The Eagles lost star centre-back Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea earlier this summer, and now only have a few natural senior options in their squad.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jaydee Canvot, Chris Richards and Chadi Riad are Palace's remaining centre-back options, especially with boss Pierre Sage favouring a back three.

Disasi certainly won't see that as a group of players he can't become a starter in, whereas competition at West Ham is strong.

Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, Joel Veltman, Kaelan Casey and Ezra Mayers make up a competitive group at Championship level.

So, with Disasi sure to feel confident of becoming a starter in either side, it's no surprise then to see him select the Premier League outfit.