​Manchester City remain interested in Malo Gusto but are not prepared to meet Chelsea’s current £75 million asking price, according to a fresh report. Talks between the two clubs are expected to intensify after the World Cup as both sides seek to push a deal forward. Chelsea, for their part, have indicated they would consider a sale at the right figure, with City keen to secure a transfer despite the high valuation.
The issue at the heart of City’s summer recruitment quest is the right-back position, long seen as an area that required genuine quality and experience. Since Pep Guardiola’s final season, City have been keen to add a specialist in this role. In previous campaigns, Matheus Nunes was often used from midfield to compensate, and Rico Lewis faced challenges securing consistent first-team minutes. These dynamics underscored the urgency for a dedicated right-back solution ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Gusto has been Enzo Maresca’s preferred choice for some time. The French defender fits well with Maresca’s system, having contributed two goals and six assists in 72 appearances for Chelsea under the Italian’s management. This familiarity between manager and player has given the pursuit a personal dimension beyond mere recruitment logic. Chelsea’s reluctance to accept less than £75 million has been the principal obstacle in what has become a drawn-out negotiation between two clubs whose previously tense relationship was further strained by the Maresca compensation dispute resolved earlier in the summer.
According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, City do not want to pay £75 million for Gusto but are prepared to hold further talks after the World Cup as they aim to advance the deal. Sources cited by the outlet indicate Chelsea are open to letting Gusto move to City for the right price. Maresca is pushing hard to complete the transfer, having prioritized the right-back position since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium. O’Rourke adds that if there is any sign the player is ready to move, negotiations could accelerate significantly once the World Cup concludes.
Chelsea’s situation is further complicated by reports that the club are pursuing Atalanta’s Marco Palestra as additional competition for the right-back spot. This development adds pressure on Gusto to decide his future before the transfer window closes, as his pathway to first-team football at Stamford Bridge could become increasingly constrained. The France international, who featured as a late substitute in France’s 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco, finds himself navigating a period of uncertainty amid these mounting developments.
In summary, Manchester City remain keen on Malo Gusto and are prepared to engage in ongoing discussions with Chelsea after the World Cup, though they will not meet the current £75 million asking price without further concessions. Chelsea are open to a deal at the right price, and Maresca’s strong push to reinforce the right-back position signals that momentum could build quickly once football’s global tournament concludes. The evolving dynamics around Gusto, including potential competition from Chelsea signing Marco Palestra, will shape the final decisions as the window nears its close.