Transfer Centre

Manchester City, Chelsea 'send scouts to watch Axel Disasi'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 April 2023

Man City, Chelsea 'send scouts to watch Axel Disasi'

Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly send scouts to watch Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi, who is also on the radar of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Manchester City and Chelsea have both sent scouts to keep an eye on the progress of Monaco defender Axel Disasi, according to a report.

The 25-year-old has proven to be a formidable force at both ends of the field with six goals and four assists from 41 appearances in a Monaco shirt during the 2022-23 season.

Disasi has three goals and three assists to show from 30 Ligue 1 outings, including a sublime strike in last week's 2-2 draw with Nantes - chesting the ball down from a corner and firing home into the roof of the net.

The centre-back also scored twice and set up another goal in Monaco's Europa League campaign - which ended in the playoff round to Bayer Leverkusen - and he has worn the captain's armband on seven occasions this season.

Thanks to Disasi's efforts in the defensive and final third, Les Monegasques are in contention for a return to the Champions League - sitting fourth in the Ligue 1 table - and he was rewarded with a call-up to the France squad for the 2022 World Cup after Presnel Kimpembe withdrew injured.

Monaco's Axel Disasi celebrates with teammates after scoring against Nice on November 8, 2020 © Reuters

Monaco have Disasi under contract for another two seasons, but members of the Premier League's Big Six are thought to be lining up to present their offers during the summer transfer window.

According to Le Parisien, Man City and Chelsea both sent representatives to watch Disasi in action against Nantes, but firm interest is also arriving from Paris Saint-Germain.

The France international earned his breakthrough at Reims before making the move to Monaco in 2020, prior to which Luis Campos had taken a liking to his qualities.

PSG will sign Milan Skriniar on a free transfer from Inter Milan this summer, but the report adds that Campos is still a keen admirer of Disasi, and the French champions could reignite their interest this summer.

Manchester United are also expected to make a move for Disasi, who admitted to Goal earlier this season that he needs to be competing in the Champions League to be considered for regular France call-ups.

Monaco's Axel Disasi pictured in August 2020 © Reuters

"Already thanks to Monaco, I was able to reach the selection. So on this point, I am grateful to the club. For the rest, there will be a reflection that will be done," Disasi said.

"To be called up here, you have to play Europe regularly and be among the best. It is also our ambition with AS Monaco so we will have to qualify for Europe and then we will see what will happen.

"We are talking about the Champions League of course. I want to taste it and I want to give myself the means to be there.

"The objectives of AS Monaco agree for the moment with mine, namely to qualify directly for the Champions League. We'll see what happens for the end of the season and depending on the club's results my thoughts will arise."

Disasi - who has also been deployed as a right-back on occasions - has a total of 12 goals and four assists under his belt from 121 matches in a Monaco jersey.