Chelsea appear to have beaten Manchester United to the signing of Lyon right-back Malo Gusto after they reportedly reached an agreement in principle with the French club for the ace. Gusto, who is just 19 years old, is regarded as one of the most talented right-sided defenders in European football.
Chelsea were taken over by Todd Boehly at the end of last May after their Russian oligarch owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned and put the club up for sale following his country’s invasion of Ukraine. Boehly stumped up around £274million to sign new players during the summer transfer window and has already shelled out £188m since the turn of the year to bolster the Blues team further.
With regular right-back Reece James struggling with a series of injury problems this season, Boehly pinpointed the position as one he would like to strengthen. And he has now landed Gusto, despite the fact Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas played down a move earlier this week.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have agreed to pay Lyon £26m plus add-ons in exchange for Gusto. And to get the deal over the line, the Blues have said they are happy for the teenager to remain at the Groupama Stadium until the end of the campaign before moving to west London.
Gusto, who has won seven caps for the France under-21s team, has started 15 of Lyon’s 19 Ligue 1 matches this season and has piqued the interest of a number of clubs thanks to his imperious performances.
Manchester United were in the mix to sign him but weren’t able to swoop this month as they are financially restricted, according to the Manchester Evening News. And the player is now set to become Chelsea’s seventh signing of the January transfer window following deals for wingers Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, defender Benoit Badiashile, midfielder Andrey Santos and strikers Joao Felix, who arrived on loan, and David Fofana.
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