Manchester City want to sign Malo Gusto, but negotiations are blocked due to Chelsea's asking price of £75 million. The new coach Enzo Maresca is interested in the player, who has already won important titles under his guidance.
Discovered: Why Manchester City ended their search for Malo
Why it matters
Malo Gusto's situation is crucial for Manchester City, who are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new Premier League season. With the exit of Pep Guardiola, the new coach Enzo Maresca needs quality players to keep the team's competitiveness high. Chelsea's demand for £75m could hamper City's transfer strategy, impacting their performance next season.
Context
Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto is considered an important target for Manchester City, especially with new manager Enzo Maresca looking to build a competitive team. Gusto has already proven his worth on the pitch and could have a significant impact on City's season, but Chelsea's high asking price represents a significant obstacle.
Key points
- Discovered: Why Manchester City ended their search for Malo.
- Manchester City wants to sign Malo Gusto, but negotiations are blocked due to the price of 75 million pounds requested by Chelsea.
- Malo Gusto remains central to Manchester City's plans.
Manchester City are strongly interested in Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto, but negotiations are currently at a standstill due to the £75 million valuation requested by the Blues. With Pep Guardiola's departure after ten years, Enzo Maresca is preparing to embark on his first season in charge of City and is working hard to build a competitive team ahead of the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on 23 August.
City have already completed the purchase of Elliot Anderson for £116 million from Nottingham Forest, whose transfer will be made official upon his return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Maresca has also made other inquiries, including that of Jeremy Monga, from Leicester City, the club he managed during their promotion to the Premier League in the 2023-24 season.
Despite the intense interest in Ayyoub Bouaddi, a Moroccan international who has shone in the United States, Canada and Mexico, City have not yet made any approaches for Gusto, whose price is considered excessive. According to Sam Lee of The Athletic, the fee requested by Chelsea is considered too high and, unless a significant change is made, City will have to explore alternatives, which are currently difficult to find on the market.
Gusto, 23, won the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League under Maresca and their bond is believed to be one of the main reasons City have made several requests to Chelsea. Since his £31 million acquisition from Lyon in 2023, Gusto has made 134 appearances, becoming one of Chelsea's most promising players, especially in a period where Reece James has frequently had injury problems.
Gusto's value is justified by his performances, and Chelsea are not inclined to reduce their asking price, given that the player's contract expires in the summer of 2030. It is up for debate whether City already have the necessary resources at their disposal with Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis, both capable of playing as right-backs and progressing into more attacking positions in midfield. Nunes was initially signed from Wolverhampton in 2023 as a midfielder, but Guardiola turned him into a key replacement for Kyle Walker.
Although Nunes had a negative reaction to the initial change, highlighted by a disappointing performance in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in January, he has shown notable improvements. Lewis, on the other hand, lost Guardiola's trust during the manager's final season at City, but with Maresca in charge, it seems all players will have the opportunity to shine, including Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips, who recently returned from last season's loans.
Gusto, with his young age and familiarity with Maresca, would probably take precedence over Nunes in the new manager's ideal line-up, but without a price negotiation, sporting director Hugo Viana will not enter into negotiations for a purchase which, at £75m, is excessive.
What happens now
If Manchester City are unable to negotiate a more favorable price for Malo Gusto, they may be forced to explore other options on the transfer market. Maresca has already shown interest in other players, such as Jeremy Monga and Ayyoub Bouaddi, but the lack of viable alternatives could complicate the situation further. With the start of the Premier League approaching, City will have to act quickly to complete their squad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chelsea's asking price for Malo Gusto?
Chelsea demand £75 million for Malo Gusto.
When does Manchester City's season in the Premier League start?
Manchester City begins their Premier League season against Bournemouth on August 23.
Who bought Manchester City from Nottingham Forest?
Manchester City have completed the purchase of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million.
What is the current situation of the negotiations for Malo Gusto?
Negotiations for Malo Gusto are at a standstill due to the valuation considered excessive by Chelsea.
Who is the new manager of Manchester City?
The new manager of Manchester City is Enzo Maresca.
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