Liverpool have attempted to raid Chelsea in the final hours of transfer deadline day.
Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League 2026/27
Malo Gusto emerged as a surprise Liverpool target on deadline day (Image: Getty)
Liverpool made a deadline day move for Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto but have been rebuffed, according to reports. The Reds signed Bradley Barcola in a huge deal worth up to £123million on Monday. The French winger became Liverpool's fourth senior signing of the summer after Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo. But according to RMC Sport, the Premier League giants asked about signing Gusto on loan from their rivals today.
RMC Sport say Liverpool only wanted to do a loan deal for the 23-year-old France international and did not want the agreement to include a mandatory buy clause. But Chelsea told them they would only consider a permanent transfer for the defender, who they value at £75million. The Merseyside club were unable to meet those demands and walked away from talks. Gusto is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2030 and has started all three matches so far this season under Xabi Alonso.
Alonso has used Gusto as a right-sided wing-back while starting his right-back rival Reece James in central midfield. But Liverpool's swoop has not been the only recent interest in Gusto.
The former Lyon man was also targeted by Atletico Madrid per L'Equipe but the player rejected their advances. Manchester City were another club interested but the Citizens, managed by former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, opted against making a move.
The French outlet says Gusto had no intention of leaving Chelsea this season as he looks to cement himself as a consistent starter for the Blues. He has made 137 appearances for the Londoners so far since joining from Lyon for £26m in January 2023. The then-teenager returned to the French club on loan for the remainder of that campaign.
The full-back has scored three goals and provided 18 assists for Chelsea since then. And speaking last week, Gusto said he was relishing his new role in the team under Alonso: "It's a position that I used to play before at Lyon when I was young.
"So I know it and I do enjoy it. You need to bring a lot of energy – make a lot of runs forward and be there to defend as well. You have to try to perform to your best on both sides of the games and it's a good system for sure, but of course as a team we have to be prepared for anything."
Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Chelsea v Real Sociedad - Pre-Season Friendly
Malo Gusto will not be leaving Chelsea before 11pm tonight (Image: Getty)
He added: "I'm feeling really good now. I couldn't wait to come back to Chelsea [after the summer] and just focus on our new objectives. As a Chelsea player, of course we want to compete for the title and come back to the Champions League next season.
"We have a lot of objectives and to achieve them we need to create a good dynamic as a team and see how it goes."
Liverpool's failed move for Gusto means they are set to end the window quietly despite failing to sign a direct replacement for the legendary Mohamed Salah, who cut short his contract to leave at the end of last season.
But new left-sided winger Barcola is ecstatic to be at Anfield and said after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster transfer: "It's a great pride to be able to play for Liverpool. I'm very happy. It took a long time but I'm really happy today to be able to play for Liverpool and all I want is to be on the pitch and be able to play.
"I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League – it's one of my biggest dreams in my life. So yeah, it is to do that and to stay in this team in the long term – that's why I signed a long contract – and I hope I can do it."