Has Manchester City finally found the right-back they’re after? | OneFootball

Signing a right-back is high on the Manchester City priority list for this summer. Matheus Nunes is City’s first-choice right-back but the Portuguese international carried a heavy workload last season. Signing a player who provides cover and competition for Matheus Nunes would be of great benefit to Enzo Maresca’s squad. Players such as Chelsea’s new signing Marco Palestra and Feyenoord’s young right-back Givairo Read did loom as players that City may look to sign. However, a new report indicates that Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto. It seems that City may have finally found the right-back they have been searching for.

Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Malo Gusto.

Santi Aouna has reported for FootMercato that Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Chelsea’s French international Malo Gusto. It has also been reported that Malo Gusto is eager to be reunited with Manchester City’s new manager Enzo Maresca. Malo Gusto was a key player in Maresca’s Chelsea side durinh Maresca’s time as their manager. Furthermore, Aouna reports that Manchester City’s bid to sign Malo Gusto may be hindered by his contract status at Chelsea. Gusto is contracted until 2030, therefore Chelsea will demand a top transfer fee to sell Malo Gusto.

Graeme Bailey has reported for TeamTalk that Chelsea would demand well over £60 million to sell Malo Gusto this summer. Furthermore, Bailey reports that City are hopeful of signing the French international for around £50 million. Whether or not a compromise can be found between the two clubs over a transfer fee for Malo Gusto remains to be seen.

Malo Gusto would provide cover and competition for Matheus Nunes.

In terms of finding a right-back who can provide cover and competition for Matheus Nunes, Malo Gusto fits the bill. The Chelsea right-back is 23 years old and has proven himself in the Premier League. It would be a stretch to say that Gusto is one of the top right-backs in the Premier League. However, he has the potential to become one in the right system and his strongest attributes would be a good addition to this City side.

Malo Gusto is adept at overlapping as a right-back, and his delivery from out wide would be a major weapon in this Manchester City side. Gusto is also quick and covers the pitch exceptionally well on both sides of the ball. As a dribbler, Malo Gusto is exceptional for a right-back, and this trait would give City another attacking weapon alongside Matheus Nunes. Also, Malo Gusto can invert into midfield from right-back which he did on occasions for Enzo Maresca at Chelsea. Although, it must be said that Gusto’s strength lies as an overlapping right-back.

However, there are deficiencies in Malo Gusto’s game. He does suffer from lapses in concentration when defending and this area of his game needs to be improved. The hope would be if Manchester City signed him he’d improve this side of his game as he matures. Also, Malo Gusto could be stronger in a challenge but if City were to sign the French international this area of his game would hopefully improve in an elite environment.

Final thoughts.

Manchester City may have found the right-back they are looking for in Malo Gusto. However, there is a lot of water to go under the bridge to see if City can strike a deal to sign Malo Gusto from Chelsea. As a player, Malo Gusto ticks the boxes that City requires from a right-back. It now seems like City’s bid to sign the French international may drag on for some time yet.