Chelsea
Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto has become a shock transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain this summer. The French club are weighing up a move, but Chelsea want £75million for the France star. The latest Chelsea transfer news centers on how the Blues plan to raise funds before the deadline.
PSG weigh up big money move for Malo Gusto
Chelsea need to raise money this summer, and that has opened the door for a sale. The arrival of Marco Palestra from Atalanta cost more than £43million. That deal has pushed Gusto further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. As reported by The Sun, PSG see Gusto as strong cover for Achraf Hakimi at right-back. Luis Enrique has reportedly given the move his approval.
PSG chiefs are still checking if Gusto is worth such a high fee. Chelsea signed him from Lyon for around £26million three years ago. Since then, Gusto has made 134 appearances for the Blues. He has also broken into the France senior squad in the past year. That gap between his old fee and his new price shows how fast his value has grown in football.
Malo Gusto’s stats this season at Chelsea, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Matches Goals Assists Tackles Interceptions Clean sheets
Premier League 34 2 3 53 31 3
UCL 7 1 1 13 14 1
FA Cup 4 0 1 7 5 1
EFL Cup 4 0 0 8 5 0
Chelsea’s wider squad rebuild this summer
Chelsea have already been busy trimming their squad this summer. Marc Cucurella left for Real Madrid in a deal worth £47.5million. It was one of the bigger sales of the window so far. As reported by BBC, Trevoh Chalobah also looks set to join Como in a £26million move. Personal terms are agreed, and he is set to sign a long-term deal in Italy.
Manchester City were also linked with a move for Gusto earlier this summer. Enzo Maresca, who once managed Gusto at Chelsea, has taken charge at City. Pep Guardiola has left the club following the expiry of his contract. As reported by TEAMtalk, Maresca wants to bring his old full-back to the Etihad. However, City are said to see the £75million price as too high for now. That is a big number even for a top Premier League club.
Gusto’s Chelsea legacy and what comes next
Malo Gusto has been a near ever-present player for Chelsea since he broke into the side. His pace and comfort on the ball have made him a trusted pick under three head coaches. He also reads the game well and rarely gets caught out of position. Those traits would suit PSG’s high-pressing style under Luis Enrique just as well as they suit Chelsea.
Chelsea have also been raising funds in other areas this summer. They want £120million for Enzo Fernandez, who has drawn interest from Real Madrid. A £75million sale of Gusto would give Chelsea even more room to spend. It would also mean losing a player who has grown well during his time in London.
If PSG return with a better bid, Chelsea may find it hard to say no. That fee would mark a huge profit on a player they signed for a small fraction of the price. For Gusto, the choice may come down to first-team football rather than money. The rivalry for his shirt at Stamford Bridge keeps growing.
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