Highly-rated Malo Gusto arrives in London for medical ahead of big money move to Chelsea

Big spenders Chelsea are on the verge of completing their seventh signing of the January transfer window.

It's safe to say American businessman Todd Boehly has splashed the cash since completing his £4.25 billion takeover of the club in May.

Last summer, Chelsea forked out a record-breaking £278 million on transfers, with Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella all signing on the dotted line.

And in January, the Blues have thrown a further £188 million at improving Graham Potter's underperforming squad.

After weeks of speculation, Mykhailo Mudryk arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth £88 million, while defender Benoit Badiashile was bought from Monaco for a reported £35 million.

Noni Madueke, a familiar name with those who have played Football Manager in recent years, signed from PSV Eindhoven for £29 million.

And now, it looks like Chelsea are about to snap up highly-rated France U21 international Malo Gusto.

According to The Athletic, the Blues have reached an agreement in principle with Ligue 1 side Lyon for the right-back, who has played 54 games for the club since making his debut in 2021.

You can watch a compilation of Gusto in action below.

@mat pic.twitter.com/Z4fPPYGY6v

— /9. (@fuegoxt) December 29, 2022

Gusto will join for a fee of £26.3 million plus add-ons and will have a medical in London on Saturday.

But as part of the deal, the 19-year-old defender will not play for Chelsea this season. He will instead stay with Lyon for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign before joining up with his new teammates this summer.

So how highly do Chelsea rate their next signing? Well, the Blues believe Gusto is the best under-20 right-back in Europe and will prove well worth waiting for, says Daily Telegraph correspondent Matt Law.

The teenager is also seen as a "perfect fit" for what they need.

Gusto will also join Christopher Nkunku at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Nkunku's release clause at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig [£53 million] was reportedly triggered by Chelsea at the end of last year – and the 25-year-old forward is expected to join up with his new teammates in June.

Thoughts on Chelsea's spending spree in recent months? Do you think Gusto is a good signing?

Let us know in the comments.