West Ham pip AC Milan to transfer that would have been ‘perfect’ for Max Allegri
West Ham secured the deadline day loan signing of Axel Disasi despite interest from elsewhere.
After a wretched first half of the season, that included West Ham boss Graham Potter being sacked, the Hammers splashed the cash in January.
West Ham spent heavily on forwards Taty Castellanos and Pablo, while winger Adama Traore joined for a reported fee of £2million.
While it is still early days for the new recruits, West Ham’s form has improved, with three wins in their last four matches in all competitions.
Now, West Ham have been praised for bringing in Chelsea defender Disasi, who was coveted by a number of teams in the winter transfer window.
AC Milan tried and failed to sign Axel Disasi
In the first half of the season, defender Disasi was jettisoned out of Chelsea’s first team squad by then-head coach Enzo Maresca.
However, his successor, Liam Rosenior, brought Disasi out of the infamous bomb squad – a term he was not fond of – and back into first-team training.
But a winter window move was always likely, with West Ham snapping up the 27-year-old on loan for the rest of the season.
While he is now at London Stadium, Leeds United and European heavyweights AC Milan, in particular, were credited with interest in the Frenchman.
Now, according to Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti, the former Monaco man would have been the “perfect” signing for AC Milan boss Max Allegri. He added that the manager was keen on Disasi but West Ham won that race.
He said on his YouTube channel: “If Disasi had arrived, it would have been perfect for Allegri; he was one of the players Allegri had said OK.
“Of course, depending on the market, costs, and opportunities, (sporting director Igli) Tare would have developed, but for Allegri it was perfect.”
Will West Ham’s new signings keep them in the Premier League?
This month, West Ham were able to bring in Castellanos, Pablo, Traore, Disasi, and winger Keiber Lamadrid, while Kaelan Casey was recalled from his Swansea City loan.
After looking down and out a few weeks ago, 18th-placed West Ham are within six points of Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.
Had it not been for a dramatic late comeback from Chelsea, the Hammers – who have benefitted from the impressive form of winger Crysencio Summerville – would have won three Premier League games in a row.
Despite their Stamford Bridge setback, West Ham travel to lowly Burnley on Saturday, while Leeds host Forest the night before. This serves as a good opportunity to close that gap to safety.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has managed to get a tune out of his players and he will hope the new additions can hit the ground running.
While they are still favourites to go down, West Ham will believe they can achieve the great escape this season.
Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers