​Manchester City have reportedly been given the clearance to initiate talks with Chelsea over a potential transfer for Malo Gusto, with a summer move to the Etihad Stadium on the horizon. Gusto’s current contract with Chelsea runs through the summer of 2030, and the club’s substantial £75 million asking price could push City to explore alternate options if a deal proves too costly.
Last season, Pep Guardiola frequently deployed Matheus Nunes in the right-back role, even though the Portuguese star is primarily a central midfielder by trade. Rico Lewis acted as a backup and rotational option in that position, though his chances in the Premier League were limited, recording only 11 league appearances in the previous campaign. With Enzo Maresca now in charge at Manchester City, Chelsea’s search for a fresh right-back has intensified, and Gusto has emerged as one of the leading targets for the Blues this window.
City have already been active in this transfer window, having secured three signings to date—Elliot Anderson, Mathys Detourbet, and Pierce Charles—and speculation continues that Gusto could become the club’s fourth summer addition. Football Insider’s transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke reported that City have received the green light to approach Chelsea regarding a possible deal for the French defender, noting that Maresca is a strong admirer of Gusto. The Italian manager and the player have a history together; they worked in tandem at Chelsea and achieved notable success, including lifting the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
On the Football Insider Transfer Insider podcast, O’Rourke described a mutual admiration between Gusto and Maresca, saying: “There’s a strong bond between them. They’ve worked together before, and Maresca is a big fan of Gusto. If Manchester City escalate their interest, it could indicate that Gusto is open to a move to the Etihad.”
City’s pursuit of Gusto comes amid discussions about a possible price cap on the transfer, with Chelsea valuing the 23-year-old at a figure that may pose a challenge for City given the club’s strategic spending. Gusto joined Chelsea from Olympique Lyonnais in January 2023 for a reported £30.7 million and was loaned back to Lyon for the remainder of that season. Since then, he has made 134 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, contributing three goals and 17 assists.
In addition to his club duties, Gusto is competing for France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having helped his national team reach the semifinals, where they faced Spain on July 14. The latest reports indicate that Gusto’s representatives have already held initial discussions with Manchester City regarding a potential transfer, signaling that momentum could be building toward a formal approach or negotiation should the clubs reach an agreement on terms. The evolving situation continues to place Gusto at the forefront of Manchester City’s defensive recruitment plans as they assess the best long-term option to bolster their squad this season.