Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Malo Gusto has resurfaced after fresh reports suggested Chelsea are prepared to let the France international move on. The 23-year-old right-back has been admired at Anfield for some time, and the latest development adds a new layer to a market that could yet shift again before recruitment plans are finalised.
According to [Si Phillips Talks Chelsea](https://sptc.news/p/sources-xabi-alonso-tells-chelsea), Xabi Alonso has informed Gusto that “it is time he finds a new club”, with Chelsea said to be placing greater long-term faith in Marco Palestra and Josh Acheampong. The report adds there have been “no fallouts” and that the conversation was handled “respectfully”.
That is significant. When a player is effectively given the green light to leave by a head coach, clubs already tracking the situation tend to take notice quickly. Liverpool are understood to be among those who have checked on Gusto before, and his profile, age, experience and Premier League adaptation would ordinarily make him an attractive option in the market.
Liverpool interest and Chelsea valuation
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There remains, however, an obvious complication. Previous reporting has indicated Chelsea would seek a huge fee, potentially around the level of the current right-back record, set when Achraf Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain for £60m in 2021. If that valuation holds, Liverpool would need to decide whether the opportunity outweighs the outlay.
On paper, Gusto offers athleticism, recovery pace and top-flight pedigree. He has played regularly in a demanding environment and still has room to develop. Yet market context matters, and Liverpool’s decision-makers are unlikely to pursue any deal unless the price reflects both role and priority within the squad build.
Right-back plans under Andoni Iraola
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This is where the story becomes more nuanced. Liverpool already have options to assess on the right side, and their wider recruitment strategy under Andoni Iraola is likely to be driven by value as much as availability. Spending more than £60m on a right-back only makes sense if the player is viewed as a transformative signing, rather than simply a strong squad addition.
Gusto may now be attainable in theory, but that does not automatically make him the right move in practice. Chelsea’s willingness to sell could encourage interest from several clubs, though Liverpool’s approach is likely to stay measured unless the financial conditions soften considerably.
Our View
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This feels like one to watch, but not one to get carried away with. The moment a player becomes available from a Premier League rival, the links accelerate, especially when there has already been interest in the background. That does not mean Liverpool should force it.
There is talent there, no question, and Gusto has shown enough in England to suggest he could do a job for a big side. Even so, the idea of paying anything close to a record fee for him feels difficult to justify. Liverpool need smart business, particularly in a market where fees can spiral quickly once clubs sense urgency.
The other concern is fit. Right-back is important, but it is hard to see this as the sort of signing that should command elite-level money unless the coaching staff are totally convinced he lifts the whole team. If the cost drops and the terms become favourable, it becomes a more sensible conversation. At the numbers being mentioned, there would be understandable hesitation.
There is also a feeling that Liverpool should be aiming for absolute clarity in this position, either backing the internal options fully or moving for a target who is beyond doubt. Gusto is a good player, but this would need to be a very precise deal, at the right price, and for the right tactical reason.