Chelsea should remain hopeful of sealing January transfer No. 7 for Lyon right-back Malo Gusto, despite a major claim on his future from club president Jean-Michel Aulas. The 19-year-old is keen on a move to Chelsea and personal terms have already been agreed, football.london understands.
Agreeing a fee is yet to happen after the opening offer sent to Lyon by the Blues of €20million (£17.6million) was swiftly rejected, although a second bid is expected imminently. According to Foot Mercato, the French club will hold out for a fee between €30million and €40million, but even then that may not be enough to secure a mid-season departure judging by the latest claim from Aulas
In a statement on Twitter, Aulas writes: "Since I am actively participating with Vincent Bruno Laurent in this great winter movement, I have the pleasure of confirming the team on KTE but also of specifying that Malo, a great hope for OL, will continue to play with OL in less until 06/30/23."
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A public stance on the departure of a player locked in negotiations with another club would usually rule out any move. However, Aulas has a significant history with these kind of claims.
Bruno Guimaraes joined Newcastle on January 30 last year despite Aulas stating four days earlier a transfer was not going to be agreed. The same tactic was used by the club president with Alexandre Lacazette, Tanguy Ndombele and Ferland Mendy, yet all three left the French club for pastures new.
For a proper retro Chelsea spin on things the same also happened with Michael Essien in 2005. It is worth noting though there could be some truth to his claims, especially as there is talk of a loan back to Lyon for Gusto after the Blues have agreed a permanent transfer, which still lines up with his admission of him staying at the club until the end of June.
If it is to be a summer departure for Gusto, the race would likely be wide open. The Frenchman would have a further six months to showcase his skills and many clubs would likely be in the race given the stance of most selling clubs on exits in the summer window as opposed to mid-season, with Manchester United among those understood to be interested in him.
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