Chelsea weigh up bid for former Bruno Guimaraes teammate eyed by Newcastle United

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a bid for Newcastle United target Malo Gusto as the January transfer window enters its final week.

The big-spending Blues have already spent just shy of £500m since a consortium fronted by Todd Boehly took control at Stamford Bridge after agreeing a deal to end Roman Abramovich’s 19-year ownership of the West London club in May 2021.

After an underwhelming start to the season, Graham Potter’s squad has been boosted by the signings of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile, PSV Eindhoven forward Noni Madueke, Molde striker David Fofana and Newcastle target Andrey Santos at a cost of around £157m. Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix also joined on loan until the end of the season after the Blues agreed a £9.7m loan fee and cover the Portugal international’s wages for the entirity of his time at Stamford Bridge.

The Telegraph have now reported Boehly is keen to add highly-rated full-back Gusto to Potter’s ranks after the Lyon youngster has forged a strong reputation ever since making his senior debut as a substitute when he replaced Magpies star Bruno Guimaraes in a 5-0 win at Saint-Etienne in January 2021.

After signing his first senior deal he revealed his intention to progress and expressed his determination to ‘be a great player’. He said: "It's been a huge source of pride for me and my family. I have been waiting for this moment since I was little. But this is only the beginning, I have to keep working, this is only one step. I know I can do more. Once you sign this contract, you have to be serious about everything you do, whether it's on or off the pitch. It’s very important if you want to be a great player.

A full debut came on the opening day of the following season in a 1-1 home draw with Brest and the 19-year-old has gone on to make over 50 appearances for the Ligue 1 club. Newcastle are believed to have taken a keen interest in his development as they continue their bid to add a young right-back to their squad to provide competition for Kieran Trippier in the near future.

The report suggests Lyon are determined to retain the services of the France Under-21 international until the summer, when he will enter the final 12 months of his current deal. However, Chelsea are ‘lining up a bid to tempt’ them into selling over the next week.