Aston Villa sign defender in last-gasp deadline day deal

The France international centre-back became Unai Emery’s fifth signing of the transfer window, with the deal finally confirmed almost two hours after the 11pm Monday deadline.

That came after both clubs submitted deal sheets, allowing them more time to finalise the agreement which has seen Disasi join Villa for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old’s future had been the subject of increasingly intense speculation over recent days as Villa pushed for a deal but found Chelsea playing hardball over the terms.

At one point, Villa walked away from the negotiating table after baulking at what they deemed an excessive loan fee demand.

But an agreement was eventually reached with Villa paying around £5million for Disasi’s services for the rest of the season.

That is around the same figure Chelsea had agreed with Tottenham, who were also keen on the defender. 

But Disasi always made clear his preference to join Villa and finally got his wish with an agreement between the clubs reached on Monday evening.

His arrival adds some much-needed depth to a Villa defence depleted by injuries to Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings and the sale of Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce earlier in the month.

Ezri Konsa is currently the only fit senior centre-back, with midfielder Boubacar Kamara having deputised in the heart of defence for the past two matches.

Disasi is Villa’s fifth signing of what has been a hectic transfer window. The club can register a maximum of three new signings for the Champions League knockout stages.

Disasi is also unable to play in next Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Tottenham after featuring for Chelsea in the previous round of the competition. Neither will he be able to face his parent club when they visit Villa Park on February 22.

Paris St-Germain forward Marco Asensio became the fourth new arrival when he completed his loan move earlier on deadline day.

Villa boss Unai Emery is a long-time admirer of the Spain international, who was a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid. The deal, which does not include an option to buy, will see Villa cover the whole of the 29-year-old’s salary, thought to be more than £200,000-a-week.