West Ham close in on two defender signings as plug is pulled on third deal
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Jack Heath
Mon 1 September 2025 17:26, UK
West Ham are looking increasingly unlikely to sign Charlie Cresswell from Toulouse but they are closing in on two defender signings.
The Hammers have been working to bolster their backline after selling Moroccan centre-back Nayef Aguerd to Marseille.
Graham Potter‘s side finally managed to secure their first win of the season as West Ham beat Nottingham Forest 3-0, banking a clean sheet along the way.
But the east London side know they are short of senior central defensive options and have turned their attention to Axel Disasi and Igor Julio.
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According to Jacob Steinberg on X (1 September), it is looking “unlikely at this stage” that the Hammers will sign the young English centre-back, but the club are quickly pivoting to target other centre-backs.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi replacement Igor Julio looked to be about to complete a medical with the Eagles, however, Sky Sports News (1 September) have reported that the Brazilian has now made a U-turn, heading to the London Stadium to complete a medical.
However, to add to even more defender drama, the Hammers are also “not ruling out” a late move for Chelsea outcast Disasi on-loan, according to Steinberg, in a major turn of events.
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Football Insider verdict
It looks like the Hammers are digging away down the centre-back goldmine as they look to revive the careers of two rejects from Brighton and Chelsea.
Both Julio and Disasi have endured torrid times in recent campaigns at their respective clubs due to injuries and being pushed down the pecking order.
I’m a bit unsure about the prospect of one or both of the central defenders moving to east London given their distinct lack of form of late.
Stats in all competitions 2024-25Axel DisasiIgor JulioAppearances2716Minutes played1,8991,237Goals20Assists20(Source: Sofascore)
The Brazilian made just 16 appearances last year after struggling with niggling injuries whilst the Frenchman was sent out on-loan to Aston Villa where he failed to impress in the second half of last season.
Potter is desperately seeking defensive reinforcements to support his leaky defence, yet this is really scraping the barrel in the English top-flight.
The English manager may be praying for a miracle that the prospective pair manage to turn their turbulent careers around at the Irons.