Malo Gusto keen for Lyon to sanction transfer to Chelsea

Malo Gusto is pushing for Lyon to sanction a January move to big-spending Chelsea, 90min understands.

The 19-year-old is one a number of high-profile transfer targets for Graham Potter’s Blues, who have already been backed heavily in the winter market by chairman Todd Boehly.

Chelsea have substantially forked out on the likes of Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke this month, but still appear determined to add more fresh faces to their squad.

A central midfielder remains a priority for Chelsea, but 90min understands that the club are hopeful of completing a deal for teenage full-back Gusto.

Chelsea’s interest in Gusto was first revealed by 90min back in October, when he was also scouted by Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United, and there’s a growing confidence that a deal for the teenager will be done.

Gusto himself is pushing for Lyon to agree a fee with Chelsea, with the Ligue 1 giants looking to extract as much value as they can get from a player who has less than 18 months on his contract.

Lyon’s preference is to keep Gusto until the end of the season, but sources have told 90min that he’d prefer to move to west London in January rather than wait for the summer.

Chelsea’s current options at right-back are Reece James and experienced captain Cesar Azpilicueta, but their desire to strengthen the position has been well documented.

Denzel Dumfries and Pedro Porro have also been identified by Chelsea as potential signings, though the latter appears likely to join north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.