REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Liverpool have had a late attempt to loan Chelsea star Malo Gusto rejected on deadline day, according to Fabrice Hawkins.
The Reds have started the season slowly under new manager Andoni Iraola, drawing 2-2 with both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest in their opening games of the campaign, and the Spanish boss was hopeful of adding some more options to his squad before the deadline passed later tonight.
However, a move to bring in France international Gusto has fallen by the wayside after the two Premier League rivals couldn't come to an agreement.
According to a report by RMC Sport, Liverpool made a big push on Tuesday to try and sign Gusto on loan from Chelsea, but the attempt ended without success.
Liverpool were only willing to consider a loan deal without a mandatory buy clause involved, as they looked for competition at right-back for Jeremie Frimpong, with Conor Bradley still a long-term absentee due to a knee injury. However, Chelsea were pushing for a permanent transfer and were not willing to sanction a temporary move.
It's understood that the Anfield club simply don't have the finances to match Chelsea's valuation to make a permanent deal happen, and the move is now considered to be off.
Liverpool have had a fairly quiet summer transfer window of incomings, with Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet and Bradley Barcola all arriving on permanent deals, while Ronald Araujo has signed from Barcelona on loan.
Cody Gakpo is set to stay, despite the club receiving a £80m bid from Manchester City recently, while the club have agreed a deal to sign young Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans for next summer.
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Malo Gusto Premier League Stats 25/26
Appearances
Minutes
Tackles (per 90)
Interceptions (per 90)
Clearances (per 90)
Blocks (per 90)
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored
Liverpool Summer Business is Done
REUTERS/Tom Nicholson
Liverpool spent big to bring Bradley Barcola in from Paris Saint-Germain as their main replacement for Mohamed Salah this summer, and they have spent a long period of time ensuring that they are rarely making panic signings in the market.
Iraola will know the squad that he has available to him, and while Gusto will have been a great signing, time is running out for any alternatives to come in at this stage, and it feels as though their business is done.
The Reds will now need to step up their performances on the pitch, starting with their next game against Ipswich Town on Friday night, as their squad is set until January at the earliest.