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Manchester United give up plans to sign Ligue 1 defender in January transfer window

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Olympique Lyon president keen on keeping Malo Gusto amidst interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

January transfer ‘unlikely’ for Olympique Lyon full-back Malo Gusto amidst Manchester United interest

Manchester United have scrapped plans to put in a bid for Olympique Lyon star Malo Gusto in the upcoming transfer window, according to the Daily Mail (h/t Manchester Evening News).

Instead, the Red Devils will try to pursue the Ligue 1 outfit to part ways with the 19-year-old next summer. While the Old Trafford side are keen on a new right-back, they will have to wait a bit.

The Manchester-based club, along with Premier League rivals Newcastle United, are interested in the youngster. However, a move for him in January is ‘unlikely’.

Manchester United will bid for Lyon's Malo Gusto next summer.
Manchester United will bid for Lyon’s Malo Gusto next summer. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images)

Eddie Howe’s team are flying high at the moment. The Magpies are sitting third in the English top flight. They spent some money in the recent transfer window. Currently, the Saint James’ Park side can call upon the likes of Kieran Trippier and Javier Manquillo.

Gusto has come up through the ranks at Lyon and broke into the first team last season. The France U21 international has cemented his place in Les Gones’ starting lineup in the current campaign.

This term, while the 19-year-old has mostly played at right-back, he has also been deployed a bit further up the pitch on some occasions. The youngster has featured 14 times in Ligue 1 in the 2022/23 season.

At the moment, Diogo Dalot is the first-choice right-back at United. The Portugal international has been a pivotal player for Erik ten Hag.

However, while the 23-year-old has enjoyed a lot of game time, Aaron Wan Bissaka seems to be out of favour. Only recently has the England U21 international been given opportunities in the Dutch manager’s starting lineup.

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The former Crystal Palace star has done well when he has been given the chances. But if the 25-year-old decides to leave the Old Trafford side for more game time, Gusto seems like a wise option to bring to Manchester.