Malo Gusto gives Manchester City green light to approach Chelsea for summer transfer | OneFootball

Manchester City have been given the green light to pursue Chelsea defender Malo Gusto over a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, as per a recent report.

Last season, Matheus Nunes was a regular starter in the role of a right-back under Pep Guardiola, despite the Portuguese star primarily being a central midfielder by trade, while Rico Lewis served as a backup and rotational option in that position.

However, Lewis has been linked with a move away from City in the ongoing transfer window after struggling for regular minutes on the pitch, making only 11 Premier League appearances in the previous campaign.

With Enzo Maresca taking charge as Manchester City’s new head coach, the Blues are in the hunt for a new right-back for the upcoming campaign, and Gusto has emerged as one of their top transfer targets.

Report: Man City boss Enzo Maresca is a ‘big fan’ of Malo Gusto

Manchester City have been very active in this summer transfer window and have already secured three signings, including Elliot Anderson, Mathys Detourbet and Pierce Charles. And now, Gusto has been heavily tipped to become the Premier League giants’ fourth summer signing.

According to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, Manchester City have been given the nod to approach Chelsea over a potential deal for the French right-back, with Maresca being a ‘big fan’ of the player.

The Italian manager and Gusto have previously worked together during their respective tenures at Chelsea, winning the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Speaking on the Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, O’Rourke said: “There is a mutual admiration between Gusto and Enzo Maresca.

“They’ve worked together before and I think Maresca is a big fan of Gusto. If Man City do firm up their interest, it might mean that he is open to making the move to the Etihad.”

The 23-year-old joined Chelsea from his boyhood club Olympique Lyonnais in January 2023 for a reported fee of £30.7 million and was loaned back to the Ligue 1 side for the remainder of that season.

Overall, Gusto has registered a total of 134 appearances for Chelsea, netting three goals and providing 17 assists.

Are Chelsea open to parting ways with Malo Gusto?

Gusto is currently at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with France, who recently booked their spot in the semifinal, where they are pitted against Spain on July 14.

The aforementioned report suggested that the defender’s representatives have already held talks with Manchester City.

Despite already having Gusto and Reece James in the squad, Chelsea have also signed Italian right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta this summer, increasing the competition for regular gametime in the position.

The London club have set a hefty price tag of £75 million for Gusto, whose contract at Stamford Bridge is valid until the end of June 2030.

Previous reports have suggested that Manchester City, who have already made the club-record signing of Anderson this summer, are reluctant to meet Chelsea’s demand to acquire the Frenchman’s signature and would consider other options if the asking price does not drop.

While Gusto could be interested in a potential reunion with Maresca at Manchester City, it remains to be seen if Chelsea are willing to part ways with the Lyon graduate this summer.