Manchester City are reportedly exploring a move for Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto this summer, with Enzo Maresca pushing the club to make a bid, according to The Sun.
Gusto's Chelsea career
Gusto joined Chelsea from Lyon in a £31million deal in 2023 and has made 134 appearances in all competitions. He has helped Chelsea win the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup, while also finishing as runner-up in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Last season, Gusto played a prominent role due to three separate injuries to club captain Reece James, starting 26 of Chelsea's 38 Premier League games. When James was fit, he was often deployed as a central midfielder under managers Maresca and Liam Rosenior, allowing Gusto regular minutes at right-back.
Interest from PSG and City
The Sun reports that Paris Saint-Germain have identified Gusto as a top target to provide competition for Achraf Hakimi, with Luis Enrique approving the move. However, Manchester City have also been alerted to a potential deal, with Maresca impressed by the 23-year-old during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are under pressure to sell players to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, which could open the door for Gusto's departure. However, the Blues would only accept an offer in the region of £75million for the France international.
City's transfer plans
City are also preparing a big-money offer for Gusto's Chelsea team-mate Pedro Neto, with Chelsea reportedly setting a £70m price tag on the Portuguese winger. Elliot Anderson remains City's only first-team addition of the window, and Maresca admitted earlier this week that there were still 'things we need to do' in the transfer market.
Gusto has four years remaining on his contract, while Neto's deal runs through to June 2031.
Pre-season absence
Gusto was not included in the squad for Chelsea's pre-season matches against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham in Sydney, nor for the 1-0 defeat to Juventus on Wednesday. It is uncertain when he will link up with the squad, with the new Premier League season just two-and-a-half weeks away.
Chelsea face AC Milan in Jakarta on Saturday, then Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia, before hosting Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15.
