A pair of updates on the ongoing efforts of the powers that be at Premier League giants Chelsea to add to the club’s options at right-back have been forthcoming late on Friday evening.
It is of course common knowledge that the powers that be in west London remain on the lookout for fresh blood on the right flank ahead of the 2nd-half of the campaign.
This comes as first-choice option Reece James continues to struggle to maintain fitness.
When it comes to options to fill the role, one front-running target long tipped in the media as a potential arrival at Stamford Bridge comes in the form of Josip Juranovic.
After shining for Croatia at the World Cup, it was widely reported that Chelsea had set their sights firmly on Celtic standout Juranovic’s signature.
It has therefore come as a surprise, late on Friday, to hear of the 27-year-old, in fact, being primed to take his talents elsewhere.
Excl: Croatia international right back Josip Juranović close to joining Union Berlin from Celtic, talks very advanced between clubs and player side. 🚨🇭🇷 #transfers
Negotiations are at final stages — here we go expected soon. pic.twitter.com/azT7NYziwL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 20, 2023
Chelsea, as a result, have turned their attentions elsewhere, with the identity of the Blues’ latest right-back target, in turn, having tonight been revealed.
As confirmed by a host of sources in France, the transfer team in west London have set their sights firmly on Olympique Lyonnais prodigy Malo Gusto.
For those not aware, Gusto, a 19-year-old French youth international, has long been regarded as a future star in the making in his home country.
Across Lyon’s 19 Ligue 1 outings thus far this season, the teenage talent has featured from the off in all but four.
And Chelsea, according to L’Equipe, are one such club to have had their attentions piqued by Gusto’s fine form.
Lyon, for their part, are hopeful of keeping hold of the club’s gifted youth product for at least the remainder of the term, but look set to have their resolve imminently tested by an official offer by way of Chelsea’s board.
Breaking | Chelsea interested in signing Malo Gusto (19) – Lyon want to keep the full-back until the end of the season, report L’Équipe. More follows.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) January 20, 2023
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