Liverpool receive green light to sign Premier League star in January

Liverpool receive green light to sign Premier League star in January Liverpool Transfer Latest: Malo Gusto Exit Opens Door for Andoni Iraola Right-Back Move Liverpool’s search for defensive depth may yet circle back to a familiar name, with TeamTalk reporting that Malo Gusto is prepared to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window. That development has immediate relevance at Anfield, where Andoni Iraola continues to reshape the squad he inherited after taking charge this summer. Recruitment has already reflected the new head coach’s influence. Victor Munoz’s move was driven strongly by Iraola, while other incoming business also carried his input. Jeremy Jacquet had been secured earlier, and Ronald Araujo arrived to add quality and flexibility at the back, but Liverpool’s need for another specialist right-back has not entirely gone away. That is why Gusto’s situation stands out. Liverpool explored the market extensively for defenders during the summer and, according to the original report, even made a late approach on deadline day. Nothing materialised at that stage, yet the latest information suggests the story may have further life if Chelsea become willing sellers and the player pushes for a fresh start. Malo Gusto back on Liverpool radar The key point here is timing. Liverpool have already addressed parts of their defence, but they have not completely solved the right-back question. Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid in 2025, and since then the position has demanded careful management. Conor Bradley remains highly regarded, though his availability has too often been disrupted by injuries. Araujo has helped offer cover, but his longer-term future is still far from certain. If Liverpool decide not to make that arrangement permanent, the need for another right-sided defender becomes far more pressing. Gusto, at 23, fits the profile of a player who could arrive with Premier League experience while still offering scope for development. That combination matters, particularly for a club trying to balance immediate competitiveness with smart squad-building under a new regime. Photo: IMAGO The report also indicates Liverpool would face significant competition. Tottenham Hotspur are mentioned among previous admirers, while interest from Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Como and RB Leipzig suggests there will be no shortage of options for the Frenchman if Chelsea formally open the door. Andoni Iraola planning defensive depth There is a wider strategic angle for Liverpool here. Iraola has inherited a side that still carries quality, but depth in certain positions remains under scrutiny. Right-back is one of them. In a season where fixture congestion and physical demands can expose even strong squads, relying on limited cover is a risk. Gusto would make sense on several levels. He knows the pace and intensity of the Premier League, he is young enough to improve further, and he has the athletic profile to suit a high-energy approach. Liverpool would also avoid the adaptation gamble that can come with buying from abroad, especially in a role that often demands both defensive reliability and attacking contribution. Another factor is contract planning. Joe Gomez is heading towards the final stretch of his deal, and while he offers versatility, Liverpool cannot keep asking multi-functional defenders to plug every gap forever. Proper squad construction requires natural options in key roles, and that appears central to how Iraola is approaching this rebuild. Chelsea transfer stance could shape January window Chelsea’s position will be crucial. If they are genuinely open to a January departure, as reported, then the conversation quickly turns to price, structure and priority. Liverpool have shown in recent windows that they will move decisively when convinced by both the player and the deal terms. They have also shown discipline when valuations drift too high. That balance will be important here. Gusto is an attractive option, but Liverpool are unlikely to engage in an inflated battle unless they believe he is the clear answer. With several clubs monitoring the situation, Chelsea may hope to create a competitive market. Liverpool, on the other hand, will want clarity early if they are to revisit their interest. For now, this feels like one to watch closely rather than one nearing completion. Yet the ingredients are there, a player ready for change, a selling club potentially receptive, and a Liverpool squad that still looks one specialist signing short in a key defensive area. Our View This report feels believable because the need has never really gone away. Right-back has looked like a position Liverpool have been managing rather than solving for a while now, and that rarely ends well over a full season. Bradley has real quality, but it is hard to build around availability that keeps being interrupted. If Araujo does not stay beyond his current arrangement, the issue becomes even more obvious. Gusto makes sense on paper, though there is still a nagging doubt over whether Chelsea would make the deal straightforward for a domestic rival. That part is hard to ignore. Liverpool have been linked with plenty of defenders before, and not every sensible target becomes a realistic one once the fee starts climbing. There is also the question of priority. If Iraola wants a specialist right-back and sees Gusto as the right age and right level, then Liverpool should be ready to move. Waiting another window and hoping existing options hold up physically feels risky. Still, there is enough uncertainty around valuation and competition to stop this feeling advanced. It is encouraging, but it is not one to get carried away with yet.