Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, has ruled out a January move for young defender Malo Gusto.
Aulas posted on social media, “I have the pleasure to explain that Malo Gusto, one of Lyon’s outstanding talents, will continue to play for Lyon until at least June 30 2023.”
Puisque je participe de manière active avec Vincent Bruno Laurent à ce grand mouvement de l’hiver j’ai le plaisir de conforter L’équipe sur KTE mais aussi de préciser que Malo 1grand espoir de l’OL continuera de jouer avec l’OL au moins jusqu’au 30/06/23 https://t.co/wI0ybCMeIc
— Jean-Michel AULAS (@JM_Aulas) January 26, 2023
On Wednesday, Chelsea made Lyon a €20 million offer for the France under-21 defender, but Lyon declined. They want around €40 million for the player.
19-year-old Gusto’s contract with Lyon expires in June 2024 and already signed a six-and-a-half-year personal contract with the London club and wants a move to Chelsea.
According to sources who spoke to ESPN, the two clubs will continue to talk on Thursday.
Aulas might be viewed as seeking to exert pressure on Chelsea to up their first offer and concede to letting Gusto remain at Lyon on loan through the remainder of the season, which Chelsea has so far in the negotiations refused to commit to
Gusto has already played 47 times for Lyon, including several European matches. Didier Deschamps is also interested in Gusto for the national squad because he has played for France in every junior level. Gusto is a right back who loves to attack and has excellent speed and crossing skills.