Newcastle United are reportedly keen to beat Manchester United to the signing of Lyon full-back Malo Gusto in January.
According to Daily Mail, high-flying Newcastle United will battle Manchester United for the signature of Olympique Lyonnais’s Malo Gusto. Lyon will demand £35 million to part ways with the French full-back.
The 19-year-old has been with Lyon since 2016 and came through the ranks before making his first-team breakthrough in 2021. He has since made 53 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, providing six assists in the process.
A right-back by trade, Gusto is also capable of functioning as a midfielder higher up the pitch. Having also played as a centre-back when needed, the 19-year-old is versatile enough to fulfil multiple roles. This holds him in good stead, given the flexible nature of today’s game.
Lyon are not averse to selling their star boy but are seeking £35 million for a January exit. This has seen Manchester United back off and perhaps wait until the summer to make their move. Given that Aaron Wan-Bissaka has fallen out of favour, it is clear to see why Erik ten Hag is seeking to bring in a new right-back.
Newcastle landed Kieran Trippier in January 2022, and the Englishman has since developed into a major player for Eddie Howe. However, Trippier is not getting any younger, while Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth are not really reliable options.
An intelligent player with excellent awareness, Gusto reads the game well and links up well with his teammates. Add to it his ability to make pinpoint crosses, and it is clear to see why he can thrive as a modern-day full-back. Newcastle United fans could certainly expect him to lay off several balls for Alexander Isak to drive home.
Bringing in Gusto will not just add dynamism to the position but also give the Magpies a long-term option in the position. Given that the Tyneside club is slowly putting together a young core of players, a move to St. James’ Park could be a win-win for both parties.
Money should not be an issue for Newcastle United, given their middle eastern backers. With the Magpies sitting pretty in the top four, there is every reason to believe they can qualify for the UEFA Champions League should their form not drop off a cliff.
It puts them in a good position to attract better players in the coming windows. The Magpies are certainly a team on the up, and Gusto would be throwing in his lot with a side starting to show ambition. Manchester United, too, are in a state of a rebuild. But given their ownership situation, one could say that success is far from guaranteed.
The same cannot be said of Newcastle, whose upward trajectory is obvious. Gusto is not the only right-back on Newcastle’s radar. Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda and West Ham United’s Harrison Ashby also feature on their wishlist.
