Malo Gusto looks destined to leave Chelsea when the January window opens, with the right-back hardly getting a chance under Xabi Alonso – and he might just help Chelsea do a £100m deal.

Gusto has not started a Premier League match since the 2-2 draw against Hull. He did play against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup from the off, but Chelsea fans were fed up with him by the time he went off.

Right now, Gusto is Chelsea’s fourth-choice right-back behind Reece James, Josh Acheampong and Marco Palestra. Chelsea were open to a £75m sale in the summer, and now, they will listen to offers again.

Chelsea willing to sell Malo Gusto as clubs queue up

According to a report this week, Malo Gusto is a contender to leave in January, with numerous clubs said to be keen on signing the France international. Among them is Cesc Fabregas’ ambitious side Como.

Como and Fabregas have already done business twice with Chelsea this season, signing Robert Sanchez and Trevoh Chalobah. Now, the Serie A side could make a third move to sign the former Lyon right-back.

Meanwhile, Chelsea want to sign Como sensation Nico Paz

At the same time as Como’s interest in Gusto, the Blues sent scouts to watch Nico Paz in the defeat to Feyenoord and then a comeback win over Fiorentina. He’s since starred against Manchester United.

A goal and an assist against Torino, and more in a 9-1 win over Lens. Paz is currently on Argentina duty with Emi Martinez, Aaron Anselmino and Valentin Barco, who predicted he can replace Lionel Messi.

Paz was bought by Como from Real Madrid for £50m in the summer. It comes after Madrid bought him back for a bargain £9m, and a £70m buyback clause now exists. But that’s where Gusto can help.

The Blues do already have Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, but they lack no.10 cover behind the England duo. Indeed, Paz actually creates more chances per 90 minutes than Rogers and Palmer, albeit at Como.

Gusto can help convince Como to sell to Chelsea instead

Madrid’s £70m clause becomes active next summer, and that gives Chelsea time to convince Como to sell to them instead. The two clubs already have a solid working relationship, largely thanks to Fabregas.

Chelsea can convince Como by offering a bigger sum than Madrid’s clause, tempting Como into an early sale rather than being forced into a smaller offer next summer. Como rate Paz at around €100m in total.

Rightly so, given the market at the moment. But with Como eyeing Gusto, Chelsea now have a trump card up their sleeve. They can offer a player-plus-cash deal involving Gusto that might just get a deal done.

While losing Paz would be a real blow, and the chances of Como selling mid-season are thin, a big cash offer plus a player they want to sign might just convince Como to do business with Chelsea instead.