FC Barcelona are reportedly interested in Chelsea defender Malo Gusto, with the teenager one of 13 right-backs the La Liga leaders have scouted ahead of the summer.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the French fullback has been watched by Xavi Hernandez’s side despite not playing a single minute for Chelsea in his entire career, with the Blues signing Gusto in January before loaning him back out to Olympique Lyonnais for the season.
Although the 19-year-old has hardly played for Lyon this year due to a hamstring injury, there is an expectation that Gusto will be a regular for Chelsea next season as Reece James’ understudy, with the right-back one of the most exciting defensive talents in all of Europe.
Labelled by himself as a ‘powerful’ player, Barcelona’s interest is perhaps no real surprise given just how unbalanced the culture at Chelsea currently is, with Gusto leaving without kicking a ball for the Blues a prospect that sounds plausible on paper.
Indeed, Gusto himself could also be sold on a move to Barcelona given how poor Chelsea have been this season, with a one-way ticket to one of the biggest clubs in Europe as a starter an opportunity that the defender could find too hard to turn down this summer.
Chelsea can’t allow Barcelona to sign Gusto in the window
Gusto’s 2023 might not have gone to plan with injuries plaguing the defender’s return to Lyon on loan, yet with Barcelona now interested in the teenager, Chelsea just can’t allow the youngster to leave without having a fair shot at the senior team.
With James likely to spend some time on the injury table next season, Gusto will play a good amount of football for Chelsea if he chooses to stay, a decision that could be difficult to make if Barcelona come knocking in the summer with an offer.
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