Chelsea transfer news: Second bid made for Man Utd & Newcastle target

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Chelsea have reportedly made a second bid to sign Olympique Lyonnais right-back Malo Gusto, with Manchester United and Newcastle United rumoured to be interested in the defender.

According to L’Equipe, the Blues have returned to the French giants with a second offer worth in excess of €20m (£17m) to sign Gusto, though this bid has also been rejected by Lyon, who want at least €30m (£25m) for their 19-year-old academy graduate.

Gusto has emerged as one of the most sought-after defenders in all of Europe this January after an impressive season for Lyon, with Foot Mercato reporting that Newcastle have also made a bid for the teenage right-back whilst RMC Sport claim that Erik Ten Hag’s United have also shown interest in the French prospect.

However, like so many transfer sagas this January, it is Chelsea who look the favourites to sign Gusto this month, with the Blues keen to find sufficient cover for Reece James, who has endured an injury-hit season that has seen the England international miss both the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 16 games for the west London side.

Indeed, with Chelsea having a second offer rejected for Gusto, it already feels like a matter of time before Graham Potter’s side come in with a third, and potentially final, bid for the defender, with Newcastle and United likely to miss out on the defender.

However, the transfer won’t be the end of the world for the Premier League duo. As we have seen, the Magpies have one of the best right-backs in the league in Kieran Trippier, whilst the reemergence of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at United has left Ten Hag not looking too intensely for a fullback in the market.

Chelsea should complete Gusto signing soon despite rejected offer

Chelsea have felt almost inevitable in every transfer saga the Blues place themselves into, and the outcome feels the same for this battle involving Gusto, with the west London side in more of a need for a quality right-back than Newcastle or United.

As stated, Chelsea have little quality depth in the position beyond James, and with Gusto available for just £25m, there’s a near-certain chance that the Blues win the race to sign the Lyon star, who could be one of Potter’s more sensible transfers this January.