Malo Gusto is open to leaving Chelsea this January, despite staying on in the summer after being valued at £75million by the club.
Gusto has totalled 307 minutes in the Premier League under Xabi Alonso this season. The 23-year-old was formerly a favourite of Enzo Maresca’s during his stint as manager at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City looked at the full back in the last summer, while Liverpool asked about his situation on deadline day. Others in Europe were also interested.
No move materialised with Chelsea’s hefty asking price. Daily Mail Sport revealed that valuation in mid-June.
Club sources insisted they were not actively trying to sell Gusto despite signing Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47m.
Academy graduate Josh Acheampong has also been increasingly used in his position while club captain Reece James remains injured.
Malo Gusto was a regular starter when he first joined the Blues but has struggled for minutes under Xabi Alonso
In Chelsea’s last six Premier League games, Gusto has either been unused or a second-half substitute. His last start in the competition was two months ago.
Gusto is currently away with Zinedine Zidane’s French national team, who have Nations League fixtures versus Italy and Turkey in this international break.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea would still demand as high as £75m. Gusto was introduced in the 62nd minute of their 1-0 loss at Sunderland on Sunday before going away with his country. That marked Gusto’s 100th appearance in the Premier League.
He was signed from Lyon in 2023 for £26.3m and is contracted until 2030.
