Newcastle United have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Malo Gusto to St. James’ Park in the January transfer window.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, with the transfer insider revealing in a recent post on Twitter that Chelsea are now preparing a new bid for the Olympique Lyonnais right-back, believed to be in the region of €40m (£35m) after seeing an opening offer of €20m (£17.5m) turned down by the Ligue 1 club.
This is sure to have come as a huge blow to Eddie Howe, as Newcastle have also been heavily linked with a move for the France U21 international this month, with Italian media outlet calciomercato.com reporting as recently as Thursday morning that the Magpies are evaluating the 19-year-old ahead of launching a potential move.
Howe must move
Considering just how exciting a prospect Gusto has undoubtedly proven himself to be so far this season, the argument that Howe simply must at least match any offer Chelsea are to make for the Lyon starlet in January is an extremely easy one to make.
Indeed, over his 15 Ligue 1 appearances in the current campaign, the £22m-rated talent has been a rock on the right of Laurent Blanc’s backline, helping his side keep one clean sheet, in addition to making an average of 2.1 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 0.9 clearances and winning 4.8 duels – at a success rate of 52% – per game.
The £7k-per-week full-back has also caught the eye going forwards, having registered one assist and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.4 key passes, playing 2.5 long balls, finding his man with 1.9 crosses and completing 1.1 dribbles – at a success rate of 46% – per match.
These returns have seen the 19-year-old wonderkid – who journalist Bobby Vincent labelled both “very dangerous” going forwards and a “real talent” – average a simply sensational Sofascore statistical rating of 7.10, currently ranking him as Lyon’s fifth-best performer in the top flight of French football.
As such, with Howe’s current first-choice right-back Kieran Trippier turning 33 years of age later this year, and with there being quite a significant drop off in ability to the Magpies’ backup options of Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo – it would indeed appear as if the right of the Newcastle backline is a position that requires more strength in depth for a top-four push.
And, with £35m very much appearing to be a fee that Newcastle can afford to spend this month, coupled with just how exciting a prospect Gusto evidently is, it is indeed an easy argument to make that Howe simply must match Chelsea’s impending offer this winter, as the Toon boss could just be rewarded with a ‘real talent’.
