Manchester United are reportedly weighing up an ambitious bid for out-of-favour Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, with an offer in the region of £75million potentially required to convince the Blues to part with the France international.
Gusto, now 23, joined Chelsea from Lyon in January 2023 for a fee of £30.7million when Graham Potter was in charge. He has since made 144 appearances in all competitions for the club, helping Chelsea win the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup.
Competition for minutes at Stamford Bridge
For the most part, Gusto has been forced to compete for minutes with Reece James when the Chelsea captain has been fit, meaning he has often struggled to get a consistent run of games. James' latest injury, likely to keep the Englishman sidelined until the New Year, had appeared to open the door for Gusto to nail down regular playing time under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
However, Gusto has not started a match in the Premier League since September, with Josh Acheampong seemingly overtaking him in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. Widespread reports earlier this week indicated Gusto was 'assessing his options' and 'open' to the prospect of leaving Chelsea in search of a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Both Manchester clubs interested
According to talkSPORT, this has put both Manchester clubs on red alert, with United and City said to be 'interested' and 'keeping tabs' on the situation should an opportunity arise. City's rumoured pursuit of Gusto stretches back for some time, with Enzo Maresca understood to have been keen on a reunion with the full-back when he took over at the Etihad in the summer.
Gusto has three-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract with Chelsea. There are complications for both clubs when it comes to potential transfer dealings this January, with United reportedly on the verge of a managerial change and City still yet to learn their punishment for Premier League rule breaches.
Former Chelsea midfielder's view
Gusto filled in as a makeshift midfielder during Moises Caicedo's absence through injury, and there were suggestions he could continue in the role under Alonso. But speaking exclusively to Metro, ex-Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet insisted Gusto should look to earn Alonso's trust by becoming the best possible right-back.
'I do remember one of the most impressive decisions by a coach – Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, playing Lahm as a central midfielder,' Poyet explained. 'It was big news at the time, because he had the quality. Chelsea have been doing this with Reece James, because they understand it's a possibility. Now Gusto as well.
'But any right-back becoming a good central midfielder? No chance. Because full-backs naturally get used to playing with the line next to them, either on their right side or their left. Nobody's coming at them from that side, because you've got the line.
'Now, when you play in the middle, players come at you from everywhere, and not every player is the same. So yes, for one game [they can play there]. Yes, for twenty minutes. Not constantly. And now we see Chelsea playing a right-back as a central midfielder every game.
'This is Chelsea — we're not talking about a fourth-division club with no possibility of bringing in a player. So yes, it's a little bit strange. And I don't think it's ideal.'
