Chelsea have been working on the signing of Lyon right-back Malo Gusto for the majority of the transfer window, and the Blues have moved one step closer to securing the Frenchman’s signature.
Transfer Guru Fabrizio Romano revealed that: “Malo Gusto has completed medical tests as new Chelsea player, after landing in London early morning.”
Romano also confirmed that Chelsea will pay close to £26 million for the 19-year-old, with the defender remaining at Lyon for the remainder of the season.
Malo Gusto Completes Chelsea Medical
Understand Malo Gusto has completed medical tests as new Chelsea player, after landing in London early morning 🚨🔵🩺 #CFC
Contract until June 2029 — Chelsea will pay fee close to €30m but Malo Gusto will only join Chelsea in July, staying at OL until end of the season. pic.twitter.com/6KeTmQUymI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 28, 2023
One Step Closer
Negotiations have been difficult, but it appears as though Gusto will get his wish of a move to Chelsea before the window closes.
Although, at one stage, it didn’t seem as though that would be the case. Despite agreeing on personal terms with the player early on, discussions with Lyon proved to be more complicated. The French club rejected the Blues’ opening bid, and at first, Chelsea were not keen on allowing Gusto to stay with Lyon until the end of the season.
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However, Todd Boehly and co eventually weakened their stance, which allowed talks between the two clubs to progress much more quickly.
Now, it is more a case of when, not if, Chelsea confirm the signing of the highly-rated defender.
Shrewd Business
This move represents smart business by Chelsea, something which has been astonishingly rare during Boehly’s time at the club.
Firstly, Graham Potter’s side are incredibly short on numbers in the right-back position. With Reece James out injured, and Cesar Azpilicueta past his best, Potter has opted to use Trevoh Chalobah as a makeshift right-back. Gusto will solve that issue, albeit not until the start of next season.
Secondly, and perhaps most impressively, the agreed-upon fee is more than reasonable for a young player with such high potential, especially in the January transfer window. His wage will also likely be more than affordable, with the Frenchman reportedly earning a modest £6,900-a-week at his current club.
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Chelsea may have made some questionable signings in the last six months, but this certainly isn’t one of them.
