Wolverhampton Wanderers are making a bold late move to sign Chelsea’s center-back Axel Disasi before the August 30, 2025, transfer window closes, following head coach Vitor Pereira’s decision to strengthen the team’s defensive core. According to SPTC sources, reported by Si Phillips on August 5, 2025, Wolves are capitalizing on Chelsea’s willingness to offload the 26-year-old French defender, who has struggled for regular minutes under Enzo Maresca. The interest comes after Pereira identified the center-back position as a priority, having recently secured AZ Alkmaar’s David Moller Wolfe to address the left-back role vacated by Rayan Ait-Nouri’s £28 million move to Manchester City.
Disasi, signed by Chelsea from AS Monaco for £38.5 million in 2023, has made 45 Premier League appearances, including 31 last season, but has fallen behind Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill in the pecking order. His physical presence, with a 62.7% aerial duel win rate and 5.8 clearances per 90 minutes, aligns with Pereira’s demand for a “physically strong and technically strong” defender to bolster Wolves’ backline, which conceded 48 goals in 21 games before his arrival. Chelsea, focused on streamlining their squad, prefer a permanent deal for Disasi, though Wolves face competition from Newcastle United and Aston Villa, who have also inquired about the 6-foot-3 defender.
Pereira’s tactical overhaul, which has seen Wolves climb to 14 points above the relegation zone since his December 2024 appointment, emphasizes defensive stability, with only five set-piece goals conceded under his mixed zonal/man-to-man system. The pursuit of Disasi follows a busy transfer window, with Wolves securing £90 million from sales of Matheus Cunha, Ait-Nouri, and Goncalo Guedes, enabling signings like Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez. However, Pereira’s frustration with Emmanuel Agbadou’s “casual” pre-season performances, particularly in possession, has accelerated the push for Disasi, who could compete with Toti Gomes and Yerson Mosquera for a starting spot.
With the Premier League opener against Manchester City on August 16 looming, Wolves’ late drive for Disasi reflects Pereira’s urgency to finalize his squad. Chelsea’s openness to a permanent transfer, as opposed to loan-to-buy offers, aligns with Wolves’ financial capacity, but the deal’s success hinges on outbidding rivals and meeting Disasi’s £80,000-per-week wage demands. As Pereira aims to build on last season’s survival, landing Disasi could provide the defensive solidity needed to elevate Wolves’ ambitions, marking another step in their transformation under the Portuguese tactician.[](https://www.molineux.news/transfer-news/wolves-make-a-late-drive-to-try-and-sign-chelsea-player-after-vitor-pereira-decision/)
