City close in on Gusto as Maresca reunion shapes up alongside £116m Anderson deal

Manchester City are pursuing Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto as a second summer signing, with reports from France indicating the full-back has sent encouraging signals to City’s hierarchy about a move north — potentially reuniting him with incoming manager Enzo Maresca at the Etihad Stadium.

The move would follow City’s agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £116 million, which is expected to be confirmed in the coming days. Anderson’s transfer represents one of the largest fees paid by an English club this summer.

Chelsea have placed a £75 million valuation on Gusto, a figure City are currently unwilling to meet. However, a bid in the region of £45 million is reported to be sufficient to persuade Chelsea to sell, particularly given the club’s well-stocked options at right-back. Captain Reece James and academy product Josh Acheampong — who Chelsea have confirmed is not for sale — give Xabi Alonso depth in that position, leaving Gusto’s future at Stamford Bridge uncertain.

Gusto worked closely with Maresca during the coach’s 18-month tenure at Chelsea, making 72 appearances. Initially deployed as an attacking full-back, he was also used in a more inverted role under the Italian. Maresca is widely expected to be appointed City’s new head coach.

Speaking ahead of the Club World Cup final last summer, Gusto was effusive about Maresca’s methods. “He’s a top coach and that’s why we’re in the final, because of him,” Gusto said. “He’s very detailed. He watches the team we face and focuses a lot on us — like how we’re going to build, how we’re going to press and the patterns we have to create between us. It helps us a lot.”

Gusto is currently representing France at the World Cup, which may complicate the timing of any deal. City had also shown interest in Marco Palestra before Chelsea moved decisively to sign the young full-back as their own first transfer of the window, further underlining Gusto’s potential availability.

If both deals are completed, City will have moved quickly to reshape their squad around Maresca’s preferred system ahead of the new season.