Liverpool are reportedly showing interest in signing Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, despite reports that the Reds are not prioritising signing a right-back this summer.
After Liverpool completed a loan deal to sign Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, many top journalists claimed that would be the last of the Reds’ transfers for defenders this summer.
This upset many supporters as the right-back situation is objectively inadequate for what will be a gruelling first season under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Fabrizio Romano, in particular, left the door open to a Liverpool move to sign a right-back but downplayed the likelihood of such a move.
“For those who were asking me, Ronald Araujo is a centre-back, will they sign also a right-back?” the Italian said.
“My understanding is that Liverpool, at least as of today, then let’s see in the next weeks, I never close doors to things in general, because knowing the market, things can always change.
“But as of today, Liverpool see Ronald Araujo as a centre-back, of course, but eventually also as a right-back when needed.
“Obviously defensive, but also right-back. And so I don’t expect Liverpool to add anything else in that position, at least as of now.”
Reports now suggest Chelsea’s Malo Gusto is on Liverpool’s radar for a transfer that could cost £75m
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According to a claim from journalist Simon Phillips, Liverpool are looking at signing Gusto this summer, with the suggestion that his supposed £75m price tag could drop.
Phillips reports: “Liverpool are reportedly showing an interest in Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, who could leave Stamford Bridge towards the end of the transfer window. It could even be that the Blues will lower their £75m asking price for Gusto, who has interest from a long list of clubs.
“Liverpool are one of Gusto’s admirers, while it seems that the likes of Tottenham, Bayern Munich, and Juventus could also be candidates for the France international.
“The player has been keen to leave Chelsea for the last four months, and that he has a good relationship with former manager Enzo Maresca, now at Man City.”
Liverpool certainly need a top right-back and Gusto may well be a very good fit for the kind of football that Iraola wants to bring to Anfield, but £75m would be far too much for him.
