Axel Disasi has performed a major U-turn, giving Nuno Espirito Santo his biggest incentive yet to keep West Ham in the Premier League.

When the Hammers signed Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea in the winter window, it was a case of third time lucky.

Mark Noble identified Disasi as a target for West Ham when he went on a scouting mission to Monaco – but the French defender was snapped up by Chelsea instead.

West Ham then tried for Disasi last season but he snubbed a move to east London and went out on loan to Aston Villa instead.

Disasi makes major U-turn over his West Ham future

Even when the Hammers moved for Disasi in the January window, the deal almost collapsed with the centre-back reportedly unsure about joining West Ham’s battle to beat the drop.

The move was resurrected after the 27-year-old was persuaded over the move across London and a late deal sheet was required to seal the deal two hours after deadline.

DISCUSS: How much would you pay for Axel Disasi? 💷

Disasi has THREE years left on his Chelsea contract…

Now Nuno Espirito Santo has been given his biggest survival incentive yet after Disasi’s big West Ham U-turn.

If the Irons stay up this season it will be in no small part down to Disasi’s arrival.

He has been a rock for Nuno since arriving. That’s despite having not played a competitive match since last April.

There are shades of Craig Dawson about Disasi.

Like Dawson, Disasi was written off as a poor signing by many Hammers fans before a ball had even been kicked.

But, just like Dawson, Disasi has proved all his doubters wrong in emphatic style.

So much so that West Ham fans are now desperate for the club to sign him permanently from Chelsea if they can stay in the Premier League.

Now West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has delivered fantastic news over Disasi’s future.

Disasi wants to stay at West Ham after having doubts

Because the Frenchman has gone from being unsure about joining West Ham on loan to wanting to sign permanently this summer.

Not only has Disasi been a hit with his solid performances, his desire and attitude – celebrating tackles like goals – has earned him a place in the hearts of the club’s fans.

9 cup finals left in the PL this season – who should start alongisde Axel Disasi? 🤔

If Disasi looks like he is loving life at West Ham, that’s because he is according to Ex on The West Ham Way.

Disasi is now understood to be keen on a permanent switch to West Ham in the summer, should the club survive.

Staying up will of course be key to any hope West Ham have of signing Disasi.

But another issue may be the club’s financial situation, even if they do survive.

How much money, if any, there will be for signings remains to be seen.

Another obstacle may be wages.

Sources close to the situation have told Hammers News Chelsea view Disasi’s time in east London as a chance to play football, rather than seeing it as a precursor to a permanent move at this stage.

But it has been described as a ‘fluid situation that could change’.

However, Chelsea are said to be paying a significant portion of his wages.

Regardless of any potential issues, to have any chance of bagging Disasi permanently, Nuno simply must focus on what he can control – getting the results needed to remain in the Premier League.

And what better incentive to stay up than the chance to sign the best defender to arrive at the club since his compatriot Kurt Zouma, who also joined from Chelsea in a £29m deal.

A positive result against Man City at the weekend would go some way to helping achieve that with the Hammers able to climb out of the relegation zone with a point, for 24 hours at least with Forest not in action until Sunday.

Win against City and West Ham would rise two places above Forest and Spurs – who are playing Liverpool on Sunday.

The Hammers would also be level on points with Leeds, who are also in action on Sunday at Palace.