Manchester United Target Malo Gusto to Bolster Defense in January

Manchester United has identified Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto as a priority defensive target for the upcoming January transfer window, according to Les Transferts.

Following a brief entretien avec le nouveau staff, the club focused on the right-back position because Diogo Dalot has not particularly convinced this season. L’ancien coach previously relied on Leny Yoro to fill in for a few matches due to a lack of serious backup options.

Confirmed as the new boss at Old Trafford, Mauricio Pochettino has begun listing necessary squad adjustments, with his primary target being a French player he knows very well. Revelations from TEAMtalk indicate that Manchester United and their new coach have targeted Malo Gusto to strengthen the team’s defense.

The 23-year-old former Lyon player has seen limited involvement under Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, managing only three starts this season. This situation has left him frustrated with his playing time, prompting him to evaluate options for a departure this winter. He is aware of United’s interest and would be willing to discuss a move.

Mauricio Pochettino’s choice to pursue the French international is not trivial, as the Argentine manager previously coached him at Chelsea during the 2023–2024 season. In that campaign, Gusto established himself among the Premier League’s top right-backs by appearing in 37 matches and providing 9 assists.

Chelsea would not be against selling the player and currently values him at £75M, a figure that Old Trafford officials intend to negotiate. Manchester City is also pursuing the player, setting up a competitive transfer battle for the winter window.

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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