Liverpool Miss Out on Chelsea's Malo Gusto in Last-Minute Transfer Attempt

On transfer deadline day, Liverpool tried to secure a loan deal for Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, but negotiations broke down over financial terms. The two Premier League clubs couldn't agree on the structure of the proposed loan, ending Liverpool’s hopes of strengthening their defense with the Frenchman.

Deadline Day Effort at Anfield

Journalist Fabrice Hawkins revealed that Liverpool made a late push to bring Gusto in on loan. The 23-year-old was seen as a valuable addition to Andoni Iraola’s squad, providing depth and competition on the right flank. Despite this, talks collapsed because Liverpool wanted a simple loan without any obligation to buy after the season.

Although Liverpool's summer has been relatively quiet, they managed to sign Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz, Ronald Araujo, and Bradley Barcola before the window shut.

Financial Disagreements Halt Deal

Chelsea insisted on a permanent transfer rather than a temporary move. Earlier in the summer, when Manchester City showed interest, the defender was reportedly valued near £75 million. Liverpool were unwilling to commit to such an expensive purchase, especially given their other transfer investments.

This fundamental difference meant the deal was dead on arrival. Chelsea made it clear they would only let Gusto leave if the buying club agreed to a significant long-term financial commitment.

Xabi Alonso Backs Gusto at Stamford Bridge

With the failed transfer, Gusto will stay at Stamford Bridge where manager Xabi Alonso values him highly. The defender started in recent Premier League wins over Fulham and Brighton and featured in the Carabao Cup victory against Luton.

Known for his athleticism, Gusto fits well into Alonso’s tactical setup. He is expected to start again when Chelsea face champions Arsenal in their next Premier League fixture.

What This Means for Liverpool

Without Gusto, Liverpool must work with their current defensive lineup. Manager Iraola will likely depend on Jeremie Frimpong as the main right-back. The club also hopes Conor Bradley recovers soon from his January knee injury as fixtures pile up in domestic and European competitions.

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