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Malo Gusto is expected to leave Chelsea during the upcoming January transfer window as the London club prepares to listen to offers for the French defender.
According to reports, both the player and the club are aligned on the decision to part ways, provided a suitable deal can be reached.
The 23-year-old right-back, who joined Chelsea from Lyon in 2023 for a reported €30 M, has seen his playing time diminish significantly this season. While he made 49 appearances during the previous campaign, he has struggled to find a regular starting role under the direction of manager Xabi Alonso. To date, Gusto has participated in only ten matches across all competitions, with just three starts in the Premier League.
Gusto’s path to the starting lineup has been complicated by a shift in Chelsea’s defensive personnel. The summer acquisition of Marco Palestra and the emergence of academy graduate Josh Acheampong have created a crowded rotation at right-back, a position where Reece James also remains a primary option.
Malo Gusto is ready to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window, with the club also open to the possibility of his departure, @TEAMtalk understands.https://t.co/ZtSDUg5oDe
Despite his current lack of minutes at the club level, Gusto remains a part of the international conversation. He was recently selected by Zinédine Zidane for the latest international break, a call-up that confirms his standing as a high-level prospect despite his domestic struggles.
Reports from the United Kingdom suggest that seven clubs have emerged as potential suitors for the Frenchman. Manchester City and Liverpool are among the Premier League sides monitoring his situation. While Manchester City’s interest has been noted, any potential move for the Skyblues remains subject to the club’s ongoing financial regulatory investigations.
Liverpool, meanwhile, has been identified as a team seeking a natural right-back for the 2027 season, as they currently rely on center-back Ronald Araujo to fill the position. Tottenham has also been linked as a possible destination within the English top flight. Outside of England, the list of interested parties reportedly includes Atlético Madrid, AC Milan, Côme, and RB Leipzig.
Chelsea’s valuation of the player appears to have shifted since the summer, when the club reportedly set a dissuasive asking price to ward off interest from clubs like Paris Saint-Germain. Given his current status as a fringe player, industry observers suggest any January deal would likely involve a significantly lower transfer fee or a loan arrangement.
No specific financial terms or formal bids have been confirmed at this stage. The club’s willingness to facilitate a move suggests a strategic pivot to streamline their squad ahead of the second half of the season.
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