Manchester City’s £50m pursuit of Malo Gusto hinges on Chelsea’s demands

The Etihad Stadium’s training pitches echoed with the familiar hum of pre-season drills, but all eyes were on the right-back position. Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea’s French international Malo Gusto, raising the prospect of finally securing the depth they need at full-back.

Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, according to reports. Santi Aouna of FootMercato confirmed the development, adding that Gusto is eager to reunite with Manchester City’s new manager Enzo Maresca. Gusto featured prominently in Maresca’s Chelsea side during the latter’s tenure as their manager.

The transfer’s viability now rests on Chelsea’s valuation of Gusto. Graeme Bailey of TeamTalk Chelsea would demand well over £60 million to sanction a move. City, meanwhile, are hopeful of finalising a deal around £50 million, leaving a potential £10 million gap to bridge.

Malo Gusto would provide cover and competition for Matheus Nunes at right-back. The 23-year-old has established himself in the Premier League and offers overlapping runs and delivery from wide areas. Gusto’s ability to invert into midfield under Maresca at Chelsea adds tactical flexibility, though his primary strength remains as an overlapping right-back.

Gusto’s attacking contributions are notable. His dribbling is exceptional for a full-back, and his pace covers ground effectively on both sides of the ball. These traits would complement Nunes’ profile and add another dimension to City’s attack.

Defensive lapses remain a concern. Gusto has shown lapses in concentration when defending, a flaw that would need addressing in an elite environment. His physicality in challenges also requires improvement, though City’s infrastructure may accelerate his development.

The potential deal comes amid Manchester City’s ongoing search for a right-back. Matheus Nunes, City’s first-choice option, carried a heavy workload last season, making depth at the position a priority for Enzo Maresca’s squad.

Players like Chelsea’s Marco Palestra and Feyenoord’s Givairo Read had previously been linked with City, but Gusto’s profile aligns closely with Maresca’s system. His familiarity with the manager could ease his transition, should the transfer materialise.

The coming weeks will determine whether Manchester City can bridge the valuation gap with Chelsea. Gusto’s contract runs until 2030, giving Chelsea leverage to demand a premium fee. City’s bid of around £50 million may face resistance, prolonging negotiations.

For Manchester City, the pursuit of Gusto represents more than a positional upgrade. It is an attempt to address a strategic weakness while adding a player who could thrive in Maresca’s tactical setup.