Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Liverpool saw a last-minute attempt to sign Chelsea defender Malo Gusto on loan knocked away by the Blues on transfer deadline day.
Xabi Alonso is the latest in a succession of Chelsea managers to decide they see Gusto as an important player. He has started all three of their games so far this season.
This included against Brighton at the weekend, where he started in central midfield as Enzo Fernandez remained absent from the first team squad.
Chelsea reject Liverpool’s last-minute attempt to sign Malo Gusto
Nevertheless, with the signing of Marco Palestra, as well as Reece James and Josh Acheampong, there is stiff competition for his place in the side.
This seemed to spark Liverpool into making a late move to sign the Frenchman, however as per Fabrice Hawkins, they were only looking to complete a loan deal, which Chelsea rejected outright.
Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
He said: “Liverpool made a final push today to sign Malo Gusto on loan, but the attempt ended without success. The Reds were only willing to consider a loan with no mandatory buy clause, while Chelsea were pushing for a permanent transfer.
“Liverpool simply don’t have the financial means to make a permanent deal happen.”
The Reds are looking at signing a new right-back after Jeremie Frimpong has not enjoyed the start to life in the Premier League which many at Anfield were hoping for.
The Dutchman enjoyed the most success in his career when working under Alonso, where he played him in a far more advanced position.
It looks as if the boss has already begun working on this with the Frenchman, who picked up an assist for Danny Welbeck’s first goal for the club against Luton.
Chelsea clearly value Gusto very highly, with clubs being quoted a £75m fee to part ways with him this summer.
It now looks as if he is going nowhere, and will remain a key player for the Blues throughout the 2026/27 season.