Chelsea defender Malo Gusto has been told by manager Xabi Alonso to find a new club ahead of the January transfer window, alerting long-term admirers Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United to a potential mid-season move.
Chelsea Value Gusto at £75m as Rivals Monitor
- Squad Valuation: Chelsea value the 23-year-old at £75million, a steep figure that could complicate negotiations for potential suitors in January.
- Depth Chart Shift: Alonso is placing greater long-term faith in Marco Palestra and Josh Acheampong, leaving Gusto surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
- Rival Interest: Both Manchester City and Manchester United are monitoring the situation, though City face pending Premier League rule breach complications.
Alonso Tells Gusto to Seek Exit
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has informed Malo Gusto that it is time he finds a new club, according to Si Phillips Talks Chelsea as reported by Yahoo Sports. The conversation was handled respectfully with no fallouts, but the decision leaves the 23-year-old looking for a fresh start when the January window opens.
The French right-back joined the Blues in January 2023 for a deal worth £30.7 million before returning to Olympique Lyonnais on loan, as detailed by utdreport. He has since made 144 appearances across all competitions, but has slipped down the pecking order under Alonso by starting just three of his seven Premier League appearances this term.
Malo Gusto is open to a move away in January. The France international hasn't started a PL match in nearly two months. His view has been amicably communicated internally. Chelsea valued him at £75m in the summer. https://t.co/N1MV5mdfXE
Alonso is reportedly placing greater long-term faith in young prospects Marco Palestra and Josh Acheampong. That shift in direction has opened the door for rival clubs to circle.
Manchester City and Manchester United Eye Chelsea Defender
Manchester City and Manchester United are both understood to be keeping tabs on the defender, according to talkSPORT. City previously weighed up a move in the summer to reunite the player with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
However, Chelsea have valued the Frenchman at £75million. That price tag would eclipse the current right-back transfer record set when Achraf Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain for £60m in June 2021.
City’s pursuit remains complicated by their ongoing appeal against the Premier League following a guilty verdict on 114 charges of breaching financial rules. Meanwhile, Manchester United are weighing up their options at right-back with Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot already in the squad, alongside an anticipated managerial transition involving Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino previously worked with Gusto during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
“He is a player with a great capacity going forward and attacking. Like the cross against Brentford, the quality going forward is really good.”
said Mauricio Pochettino, former Chelsea manager, regarding Gusto.
Liverpool Hesitate over Gusto Amid Form Concerns and Fan Criticism
Liverpool have maintained a long-standing interest in Gusto, having made enquiries about the full-back during the summer according to The Empire of The Kop. Yet, paying anywhere near a record fee for a player who has recently struggled for form remains a difficult proposition for Anfield decision-makers.
Gusto also drew negative attention from supporters during Chelsea’s Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool, where he was booed off after being substituted in the 67th minute. TalkSPORT commentators Adrian Durham and Andy Townsend criticized his performance and on-field reactions during that fixture.
“There were cheers from the Chelsea fans at Anfield when he was taken off. He was awful,” said Adrian Durham, talkSPORT broadcaster.
With Chelsea ready to sell and multiple clubs circling, the race for Gusto will depend heavily on whether the selling club softens their £75million valuation before January.
| Metric / Detail | Malo Gusto Status |
|---|---|
| Current Club | Chelsea |
| Acquisition Cost | £30.7 million (January 2023) |
| Asking Price | £75 million |
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