Chelsea are edging closer to completing their seventh signing in the January transfer window. Malo Gusto is currently in London to complete a medical ahead of his £26.3million transfer to Stamford Bridge before returning to Lyon until the end of the season.
Lyon have provided a number of public statements, yet their resolve on Gusto staying looks to have been broken, however a term in the deal will undoubtedly be of benefit to the teenager's current employers. It now looks as though a move will be completed before the transfer window closes.
The Blues sent in an official bid for the 19-year-old last week that was rejected, before a £20.2million offer was proposed to Lyon on Tuesday, as football.london understands. Personal terms were not a problem between the two clubs coming to a swift agreement, as football.london reported earlier this week.
READ MORE: Three ways Graham Potter can set up Chelsea next season after Malo Gusto transfer is agreed
With that said, below football.london has rounded up everything we know regarding Chelsea's interest in the young right-back.
Gusto in London for medical
Lyon defender Malo Gusto has arrived in London to complete a medical ahead of a summer transfer to Chelsea. The Blues agreed a £26.3million fee plus add-ons to sign the 19-year-old before loaning him back to Lyon until the end of the season.
The Lyon defender has travelled to London to complete a medical ahead of becoming a Chelsea player, before returning to France until the summer. The teenager was due to feature for Lyon in their Ligue 1 clash against Ajaccio on Sunday but will now now miss that game in order to complete his medical, according to reports in France.
Medical plan
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the final details of Malo Gusto's move to Chelsea from Lyon have been finalised with a medical scheduled to take place on Saturday in order to seal the deal.
Structure of deal
Chelsea will pay £26.3million to Lyon, plus add-ons for Malo Gusto, as per David Ornstein. This latest proposal was the Blues third offer after seeing an official bid and a floated fee rejected by Lyon.
Agreement reached
As per French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, an agreement has been reached between Chelsea and Lyon for the transfer of Malo Gusto. After sealing the move, he will head back to the French club on loan for the remainder of the season.
Bid rejected
football.london understands that Lyon have already rejected a bid for Gusto worth €23m (£20m). The figure the French side are after is closer to double that with Chelsea's verbal offer being swiftly declined.
Blanc message
Manager Laurent Blanc has also taken the same stance as Aulas, saying that Gusto will be a Lyon player for the rest of the season. He said: “The board have guaranteed to me that Cherki and Gusto will be here until the end of the season.”
Although the hardline may be tough to overcome it doesn't rule out a loan back to Lyon for the rest of the season.
Lyon release Gusto statement
Chelsea have suffered a blow in their January pursuit of Lyon star Malo Gusto after a statement from club president Jean-Michel Aulas revealed that the 19-year-old will not be leaving this month.
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."
It is worth noting that Aulas has released similar statements in the past when Lyon players have been close to an exit. Aulas made suggestions that none of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexandre Lacazette, Tanguy Ndombele and Ferland Mendy were going to leave, yet all four left the French club for pastures new and for a proper retro Chelsea spin on things the same also happened with Michael Essien in 2005.
Spence decision
Lyon have identified another possible Gusto replacement as the 19-year-old edges closer to a transfer to Chelsea.
Earlier this week it was reported that the French club could turn to Real Valladolid star Ivan Fresneda, who is a top target of Arsenal, and their latest move could also impact a Premier League club. Tottenham star Djed Spence has been made available for a loan, and Lyon have now made an enquiry for the teenager who could be their temporary replacement for Gusto, as per Mail Online.
Lamptey impact
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Brighton wing-back Tariq Lamptey, who left Chelsea three years ago, has attracted attention from Lyon in the event that Gusto leaves the Groupama Stadium this month. Writing on Twitter, Romano said: "Tariq Lamptey, one to watch in the final days of the transfer window.
"European clubs are informed on his situation as he could leave Brighton #BHAFC Olympique Lyon are among clubs now showing interest in Lamptey in case Malo Gusto leaves to join Chelsea." Lamptey joined the west London club at the age of eight before eventually departing for Brighton in search of more regular game time.
If the Ghana international does sign for Lyon, it could greatly help Chelsea in their pursuit of the aforementioned Gusto.
Personal terms no problem
football.london understands that Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Gusto ahead of a potential move. Manchester United have also been linked with a move for the talented teenager, although the Red Devils are unlikely to have the available funds this month, focusing more on the summer window.
According to Footmercato, Chelsea are leading the race for Gusto at this moment in time, reporting that the player is "on his way to London."
Style of play
Gusto has previously explained how he became a right-back during his formative years with Lyon. When asked by the club's website in January 2021 about how he ended up as a fullbacck, Gusto said: "At the start it was to make up the numbers after an injury in the next age group – Under-17s at the time.
"So the coach put me at right-back and I had a good match, and the coach hasn't changed my position since.
"At first it was tough for me and my father too, who had always seen me play more attacking and now say me at the back. But it's still football, you have to study the position and you progress quickly."
Gusto identified
Chelsea have held preliminary talks with Lyon over a potential move for defender Malo Gusto, football.london understands. The Ligue 1 side are said to be hopeful of keeping ahold of Gusto until the summer transfer window - when there is anticipated to be additional interest in the young full-back.
The Blues have illustrated throughout the winter window that they are willing to pay what is required to secure key targets and improve Graham Potter's squad.
Read more here.
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