Image for Liverpool have received big potential boost regarding “wonderful” £75m transfer target
Image for Liverpool have received big potential boost regarding “wonderful” £75m transfer target
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Chelsea defender Malo Gusto in the recent past, and it looks as though they have been boosted in their pursuit.
The Reds return to action in the Premier League this weekend, following a three-week international break that seems to have taken an eternity to finish.
It promises to be a fascinating clash with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, following a damaging few weeks for Liverpool’s rivals, with the home fans set to be more tribal than ever.
Ronald Araujo is expected to continue in an auxiliary right-back role unless Jeremy Jacquet is injured, with the Uruguayan doing an excellent job there so far this season.
That doesn’t mean an out-and-out right-back shouldn’t be looked at moving forward, however, and Gusto has been mentioned as a potential option for Liverpool.
According to Flashscore, Chelsea may now be willing to lower their £75m asking price for the Frenchman in the January transfer window, with that figure proving to be “too high for the clubs showing the strongest interest.”
It is claimed that Liverpool looked to seal a “late loan move before deadline”, adding that the Blues “only wanted a permanent transfer or commitment to buy” the France international.
Could Malo Gusto ease Liverpool’s right-back woes?
As mentioned, Araujo is doing an admirable job at right-back, but Liverpool need a natural in the role moving forward, given the attacking quality that Andoni Iraola wants from his full-backs.
Conor Bradley is nearing his return from a serious knee injury, but it is likely to take the Northern Irishman some time to return to his best, and there is even a risk that he will never be the same player.
Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong hasn’t yet convinced at all since joining Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last year, so there is plenty of sense in making a move for Gusto, who has been lauded by Danny Murphy in the past:
“There have been a few hiccups but that’s a big result and the star of the show was probably not someone we would have predicted in Malo Gusto. What an amazing performance. We’ve seen him play in midfield occasionally but he made some wonderful passes today, obviously setting up Cole Palmer for his goal.
“They are blessed to have two players who can both play right back and midfield at the same time. He’s got an incredible array of passes in his locker. When he is in his more orthodox position at right back he’s willing to get forward with the ball, travel with the ball and get into dangerous areas. He does that every time Chelsea play.”
Gusto is still only 23, so he would be arriving at Liverpool at a good point in his career, and 18 assists in 140 Chelsea appearances highlights the quality he can provide from right-back.
He is also a 16-cap France international, which is impressive given the talent in their squad currently, so there is plenty to like about Liverpool looking to sign him in January, should that happen.