Chelsea reject Liverpool's deadline-day loan bid for Malo Gusto, demanding permanent sale

Chelsea blocked Liverpool’s last-ditch attempt to sign right-back Malo Gusto on deadline day, rejecting a loan proposal and holding out for a permanent transfer that the Reds declined to pursue, according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

Liverpool registered their interest in the France international in the hours before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline but were only willing to take Gusto on a temporary basis with no obligation to buy at the end of the campaign. Chelsea refused those terms and instead pushed for an outright sale, leaving the two clubs at an impasse and the deal dead before it could gain any real momentum.

Gusto had already attracted attention from Manchester City earlier in the summer, with Chelsea reportedly valuing the 23-year-old at around £75 million at that stage. City’s interest ultimately came to nothing, and it remains unclear whether Chelsea presented Liverpool with the same asking price when a permanent move was discussed on deadline day.

New Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has made little secret of how highly he rates Gusto. The right-back has started both of Chelsea’s Premier League victories over Fulham and Brighton in the opening fortnight of the season, and also featured in the club’s Carabao Cup win over Luton, suggesting Alonso sees him as a first-choice option rather than a player available for sale at any price.

The failed Gusto pursuit came as Chelsea braced for a significant departure of their own, with midfielder Enzo Fernandez edging closer to a £125 million switch to Manchester City in the closing hours of the window — a deal that would represent one of the summer’s biggest transfers.

With Gusto firmly embedded in Alonso’s plans and Chelsea unwilling to sanction anything short of a permanent exit, Liverpool will need to look elsewhere to address their right-back options.