Chelsea are not actively looking to sell Malo Gusto despite the imminent arrival of Atalanta wing-back Marco Palestra, Standard Sport understands. The Blues value the 23-year-old Frenchman at £75 million, with multiple clubs—including Manchester City—expressing interest.
As Standard Sport exclusively reported on Tuesday, Chelsea are set to seal the signing of Palestra in the next 24 hours, fending off interest from Serie A champions Inter Milan. Palestra’s arrival has raised doubts about Gusto’s future under new manager Xabi Alonso, but the Frenchman is said to remain a valued member of the squad.
Gusto’s role under Alonso
Gusto played 49 games across all competitions for Chelsea last season as they finished 10th in the Premier League and lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City, who will appoint ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor. The arrival of Alonso should provide some much-needed stability in the dugout, but a chaotic season has led several key members of Chelsea’s squad to start assessing their options.
Marc Cucurella has already completed a £51.7 million move to Real Madrid, while Enzo Fernandez is also attracting strong interest from the Spanish giants. Fernandez is open to leaving Chelsea, and the club have slapped a £120 million valuation on the Argentine midfielder in a bid to fend off interest.
Other players assessing options
Trevoh Chalobah is another player who is said to be assessing his options, with the England international keen on a move abroad. As Standard Sport reported on Tuesday, Chelsea are not actively looking to sell the 26-year-old but do not believe him to be untouchable and could be persuaded to sanction his departure, with multiple clubs interested in signing him.
Chelsea also hold an interest in Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix and Como defender Jacobo Ramon, but have no plans to revive their pursuit of Lucas Bergvall, who has asked to leave London rivals Tottenham.
