La Liga champions Real Madrid are reportedly in the pole position to sign 19-year-old French right-back Malo Gusto from Lyon.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid will hold the aces in the race to sign Malo Gusto. Lyon will give preference to Los Blancos while selling the 19-year-old right-back, a target for several other European bigwigs.
Malo Gusto has made significant progress since joining Lyon from FC Bourgoin-Jallieu in 2016. The French right-back rapidly progressed through the ranks at the club before making his first-team bow nearly two years ago. And he has now become a pivotal figure for Les Gones.
The 19-year-old is enjoying a solid 2022/23 season, featuring 14 times in Ligue 1 while chipping in with one assist. And Gusto’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, with several European bigwigs, including Real Madrid, setting their sights on him.
Carlo Ancelotti has three right-backs at his disposal, with Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola, and Lucas Vazquez being the current options. But a closer look reveals why the Real Madrid manager wants to sign another right-back next year, with none of the three particularly inspiring much confidence.
While Carvajal remains the undisputed first-choice right-back, fitness issues have affected his performance levels. Meanwhile, Odriozola is out of favour with Ancelotti and will likely depart from the Santiago Bernabeu next year. The Spanish right-back is the subject of interest from Juventus.
As for Lucas Vazquez, the Spaniard has not been as consistent as a right-back as in some of the recent seasons. So Real Madrid will need to invest in a right-back next year, with Malo Gusto emerging as a viable target. And the Merengues are reportedly the front-runners to sign the 19-year-old French right-back, with Lyon likely to give them preference while selling him.
Gusto is also a target for several other European bigwigs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Juventus. But Lyon’s healthy relations with Real Madrid means Los Blancos might fancy the chances of snapping Gusto up if he becomes a top target. It will be interesting to see if the 19-year-old French right-back moves to Real Madrid anytime soon.
