Malo Gusto, a new option for Deco

FC Barcelona has added Malo Gusto to their wish list to strengthen their defense in the upcoming winter transfer market. Deco's intention is to add a right-back who can provide more options to the coaching staff, and the Frenchman from Chelsea has become a market opportunity.

The technical secretariat of the club and coach Hansi Flick consider it a priority to add a specialist with an offensive vocation to compete and rotate with Jules Koundé, after experiencing notable defensive vulnerability when both the French defender and Eric Garcia were sidelined, a circumstance that led to the only two defeats for the team so far this season against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in LaLiga.

The loss of prominence under Xabi Alonso's direction

The sporting situation of the right-back at Stamford Bridge facilitates an immediate exit scenario. Despite having a valid contract until June 2030, Gusto has been relegated to a secondary role in Xabi Alonso's tactical board.

So far this season, the former Olympique de Lyon player has recorded 10 official matches and one assist, having only started in three Premier League games.

Aware of his lack of continuity, the French player has conveyed to the London management his desire to change clubs to enjoy regular minutes. For their part, the management of the 'blue' team is open to negotiating formal offers starting from the next winter market, setting his valuation at Transfermarkt at 35 million euros.

🚨 Chelsea are willing to consider January offers for Malo Gusto, who is also keen to leave in search of regular football. Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have all explored a move for the 23-year-old right-back. Gusto has started just three Premier League games this season, with several European clubs also interested. (Source: @TEAMtalk)

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Offensive tactical profile and strong competition in the Premier League

Gusto's playing style fits the needs of Hansi Flick's approach: a long, physically demanding full-back capable of providing width in the opponent's half, offering a more aggressive and vertical tactical alternative in attack compared to the more positional profile of Jules Koundé.

However, the sports management led by Deco will have to deal with the competition from several giants of the Premier League. Teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur have made preliminary inquiries to learn the economic expectations of Chelsea.

The technical secretariat of FC Barcelona will intensify contacts with the player's intermediaries during the first weeks of December 2026. If Chelsea relaxes the conditions to agree on a loan with an option to buy or an affordable transfer within LaLiga's salary margin, FC Barcelona will expedite the negotiations to finalize the signing of Malo Gusto at the beginning of 2027.

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