Chelsea’s January spending spree has continued with the club confirming the arrival of Olympique Lyonnais defender Malo Gusto.
The France Under 21 international becomes the sixth winter arrival at Stamford Bridge as the club builds a new squad around young talents from around the globe.
Gusto, who will cost Chelsea €35 million plus €5m in bonuses, had only 18 months remaining on his deal with Lyon, where he made a name for himself after graduating through the club’s youth ranks.
Chelsea were keen to sign the young Frenchman this month to sort out their lack of depth at right-back, but the French giants were also determined to keep the youngster until the summer.
Both sides finally reached an agreement that will see Gusto sign a deal in principle with the Londoners this month but finish the season with his native club.
The 19-year-old talent has signed a six-and-a-half-year deal with the west Londoners, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2030.
Gusto’s Chelsea career will begin next summer, leaving Graham Potter to make do with a makeshift right back in Trevoh Chalobah, who has been deputising for Reece James.
Cesar Azpilicueta, who signed a new two-year deal with the club last summer also remains an option, but the 33-year-old seems incapable of covering for James.
With Chelsea now sorting their lack of right-back depth, the club will look to sign at least one new midfielder before the window slams shut later this week.
The Blues are still interested in Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo. However, they have yet to follow up on their initial bid that was rejected or respond to the player’s plea for a transfer.
Chelsea are also keen on returning to the negotiation table with SL Benfica over the transfer of long-term target Enzo Fernandez.
