Liverpool Eyes Chelsea’s Malo Gusto to Strengthen Right-Back Position
Liverpool has encountered difficulties at the right-back position since Trent Alexander-Arnold made his move to Real Madrid.
In response, Richard Hughes has provided Conor Bradley with a contract extension and brought in Jeremie Frimpong for approximately £30 million from Bayer Leverkusen.
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However, Bradley has been sidelined since January due to a severe knee injury, and Frimpong has not appeared to be comfortable in his right-back role during a challenging first season at Anfield.
Last season, Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones, and Dominic Szoboszlai were all experimented with in the right-back position under Arne Slot.
It is clear that finding a reliable right-back is a priority in this summer’s transfer window, especially since Hughes is focused on investing heavily in a forward.
A solution could be to add Malo Gusto from Chelsea, as the French defender’s position under Xabi Alonso appears uncertain.
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A report from Fichajes states that the 23-year-old French international is a confirmed target for Iraola and Liverpool, though Chelsea is currently insisting on a substantial fee.
“The London club still has several issues to resolve,” the report reads.
“One of them could be the situation of this French defender, capable of playing on either flank, as he is a player sought after by another top team, Liverpool.
“To let him go, the Stamford Bridge club had set a price of around €85 million.”
Chelsea values Malo Gusto at £73 million
This translates to nearly £73 million for the full-back, a significant challenge for the Reds to finalize. However, if negotiations advance positively, it is suggested that Chelsea may be willing to negotiate on the price.
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“He’s a key addition to help solidify the squad with which Andoni Iraola will be aiming for titles,” the report continues.
“And Chelsea might be willing to lower their asking price for this player.”
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Xabi Alonso might be willing to lower the price for Malo Gusto
Gusto joined Chelsea from Lyon in 2023 after impressing during his youth career. He remains contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2030, giving Chelsea authority over his transfer situation.
Additionally, Manchester City is reportedly interested in Gusto, thanks to new coach Enzo Maresca’s familiarity with the full-back from his tenure as Chelsea manager.
As the season approaches, the layout of Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea remains to be seen. The Blues have recently acquired Marco Palestra for the wing-back position from Atalanta and are also testing Pedro Neto in a similar role.
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These changes could leave Gusto without a spot in the starting lineup, potentially prompting him to consider options elsewhere. If a deal is possible, Richard Hughes should seriously contemplate pursuing Gusto.
Liverpool have been struggling at right-back ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold left the club for Real Madrid.
Richard Hughes offered Conor Bradley a contract extension – and added Jeremie Frimpong for around £30m from Bayer Leverkusen.
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But Bradley has been out of action since January owing to a bad knee injury and Frimpong has appeared ill at ease at right-back throughout an uncertain first year at Anfield.
Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones and Dominic Szoboszlai are among the players tried at right-back under Arne Slot last season.
And it’s apparent that a decent option in the position would be welcomed in this summer window. That is of course so long as the price is right – with sporting director Hughes already committed to spending big on a forward.
A solution could be to add Malo Gusto from Chelsea – with the French defender uncertain of his place under Xabi Alonso.
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A report in Fichajes is claiming that the 23-year-old France international is a confirmed target for Iraola and Liverpool – but Chelsea are currently holding out for an eye-watering fee.
“The London club still has several issues to resolve,” the report reads.
“One of them could be the situation of this French defender, capable of playing on either flank, as he is a player sought after by another top team, Liverpool.
“To let him go, the Stamford Bridge club had set a price of around €85 million.”
Chelsea value Malo Gusto at £73m
That’s nearly £73m for the full-back – by no means an easy deal for the Reds to conclude. However should talks progress favourably – claims the report – then there remains a chance that Chelsea could compromise on the fee.
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“He’s a key addition to help solidify the squad with which Andoni Iraola will be aiming for titles,” the report reads.
“And Chelsea might be willing to lower their asking price for this player.”
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Xabi Alonso could lower price for Malo Gusto
Gusto joined Chelsea from Lyon back in 2023 after showing strong form for his boyhood club as a teenager. He is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2030 – emphasising that Chelsea remain in control of his transfer destiny.
Manchester City are also thought to be sniffing around Gusto – with the Cityzens’ new coach Enzo Maresca acquainted with the full-back from his time as Chelsea boss.
We are currently waiting to see how Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea will line up for the new season ahead. The Blues have signed Marco Palestra for wing-back from Atalanta and have also been experimenting with using Pedro Neto in that position.
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Those developments could leave Gusto without a starting berth and facing the prospect of looking elsewhere. If there’s a deal to be done for Gusto then Richard Hughes would be wise to consider it.
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