Malo Gusto: Chelsea transfer hopes boosted by Lyon rumours

Robin Bairner

• 26 Jan 2023 09:47 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea are leading the transfer race for talented Lyon right-back Malo Gusto and a deal appears to be coming closer as the end of the January transfer window approaches.

The 19-year-old, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €25 million, is being courted by Premier League clubs such as the Blues, Newcastle, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United, but FootballTransfers understands that it is not the intention of the Ligue 1 side to allow the player to depart this month and instead favour a summer bidding war.

Chelsea, though, have shown themselves to be forceful in the transfer market since being taken over by Todd Boehly in the first half of 2022 and could yet try to force a deal this month. Man Utd, on the other hand, are likelier to wait until the summer, by which time they may be under new ownership.

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea's Gusto interest could snowball as Man City and Spurs keep tabs

The signs are, meanwhile, that Lyon are gearing up for a sale of the promising young player this month.

According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, OL are watching Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey as an alternative to Gusto.

MORE: THREE players Chelsea could still sign - Fabrizio Romano

Is Gusto to Chelsea happening?

If Lyon do not have a player lined up to take Gusto’s spot in the team, a deal could prove very difficult indeed to strike, particularly with time running out in the transfer window.

Sael Kumbedi, a 17-year-old, is the only alternative right-back on Lyon’s books presently, and though he has performed well in recent weeks, he is unlikely to be a player the struggling club will want to rely on.

The name of Rennes right-back Hamari Traore, linked with Barcelona last summer, is another player linked with OL, but given the relative league positions of the two clubs, it is hard to imagine that deal could be done this month.

A likelier option would be for the Blues to sign the player this month only to send him immediately back to Parc OL on loan.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have reportedly agreed personal terms with Gusto but have yet to strike an agreement with Lyon over a transfer fee. French reports state they are preparing a second offer of between €30-40m, which could be enough to prompt Lyon to sell.