Liverpool were still exploring late opportunities to strengthen their squad heading into the final hours of the transfer window, with depth across the defensive and wide areas remaining under consideration.
The Reds had already committed significant resources elsewhere, which limited the type of deal they were prepared to pursue. That financial reality meant any late addition was more likely to arrive on a temporary basis rather than through another sizeable permanent transfer.
According to Fabrice Hawkins via X, Liverpool made a final attempt to sign Chelsea defender Malo Gusto on loan, but the move collapsed after the two clubs failed to agree on the structure of the deal.
Chelsea insisted on a permanent Gusto exit
Liverpool were only prepared to consider a straight loan for the France international and did not want an obligatory purchase clause included. Chelsea, however, were pushing for a permanent transfer and were unwilling to sanction a temporary move without a significant long-term commitment.
That fundamental difference ultimately brought negotiations to an end before the deadline. Gusto joined Chelsea from Lyon in 2023 in a deal worth around €35 million and has since been used in several roles across the defensive line. His versatility made him an attractive late option for Liverpool, but the Reds were not in a position to finance the permanent deal Chelsea wanted.
Financial limitations ended Liverpool hopes
Liverpool’s spending elsewhere in the squad meant there was little room for another major permanent outlay at such a late stage of the window. The club therefore viewed Gusto primarily as a short-term solution who could provide additional cover without placing further pressure on their finances.
The Blues preferred a clean break rather than another loan arrangement, leaving little common ground between the clubs. With Liverpool unwilling to alter their proposal and Chelsea refusing to soften their stance, any possibility of Gusto moving from Stamford Bridge to Anfield disappeared.
This appears to have been less about Liverpool cooling their interest in Gusto and more about a deal that simply never worked financially. A loan would have made sense for the Reds given Gusto’s versatility, but Chelsea had little incentive to agree if their priority was a permanent sale.
That left the two clubs negotiating from fundamentally different positions. Liverpool’s late approach still shows they were actively searching for depth right up to the deadline, but unless Chelsea had changed their stance, this always looked difficult to complete.
