Malo Gusto transfer news: Chelsea agree £26.3m deal for Lyon right-back as player returns to France on loan | Football news
Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle with Lyon over the signing of right-back Malo Gusto.
The west London side have agreed to pay £26.3m plus additional terms for the services of the 19-year-old, who will join the club in the summer.
Lyon head coach Laurent Blanc says the board has assured him that Gusto will stay at the club for the rest of the season.
“The board has assured me that (Rayan) Cherki and Malo Gusto will be here until the end of the season,” Blanc told reporters on Friday.
This statement echoes the thoughts of president Jean-Michel Aulas Aulas, who took to social media and announced Gusto will continue with the French giants after this transfer window.
But it appears the club have given up on the player’s wishes and while Chelsea have agreed to a deal, Gusto will now be loaned back to Lyon for the remainder of this campaign.
Chelsea want a deal now because they know other clubs – such as Manchester United and Tottenham – are interested in the France Under-21 international.
Reece James has only played once for Chelsea since 11 October due to a knee injury, with his only game – against Bournemouth last month – exacerbating his problems and returning to the side.
The England international also missed several months of the 2021/22 season because of a hamstring injury.
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The Transfer Show’s Dharmesh Sheth and Kaveh Solhekol compile the latest transfer news from all 20 Premier League clubs.
Chelsea are determined to sign a centre-back and right-back this month, despite spending almost £500m on new players this season.
The Blues have signed 16 players since Todd Boehly’s consortium bought the club last summer, but are still keen to add to head coach Graham Potter’s squad during the January transfer window. .
Enzo Fernandez remains a target and Chelsea are considering making a new offer for the Benfica and Argentina midfielder.
How much has Chelsea spent in January so far?
Chelsea splurge under Todd Boehly
Chelsea’s January spending has increased 190 million pounds now the signing of Noni Madueke has been completed.
Here are the deals The Blues have done:
- Benoit Badiashile – Monaco, £35 million
- David Datro Fofana – Molde, undisclosed (reports £10m deal)
- Andrey Santos – Vasco da Gama, undisclosed (£18m deal reported)
- Joao Felix – Atletico Madrid, on loan £9.7 million
- Mykhailo Mudryk – Shakhtar Donetsk, £88.5 million
- Noni Madeuke – PSV Eindhoven
Chelsea have now spent around £460m since Todd Boehly became the club’s new owner, having spent £270m in the summer transfer window.
Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will move this winter? January transfer window closes at 11 pm above Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
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