City's right-back search deepens after £125m in blocked moves for Palestra and Gusto

Manchester City’s search for a right-back has grown more complicated after two of their primary targets moved out of reach, forcing the club to look further afield for a younger, more affordable option to compete with Matheus Nunes.

Atalanta’s Marco Palestra, a player City had admired, completed a £47 million move to Chelsea, while Chelsea’s Malo Gusto — a target both City and manager Enzo Maresca rate highly — has been priced out of contention at £75 million. Combined with the club-record £116 million arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, City’s summer spending is already substantial, and the right-back pursuit is now focused on a promising talent who can develop into a first-team regular rather than an established name.

With pre-season training less than a fortnight away, City are also expected to confirm the signing of Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga, and are looking to add a winger and potentially a central midfielder — moves that may depend on outgoings, with Nico Gonzalez, Rodri, Rico Lewis and Savinho all carrying uncertain futures at the Etihad.

Among the right-back candidates being considered, Feyenoord’s Givairo Read stands out as a player City are actively tracking. The 20-year-old Dutchman, valued at around £25 million, has drawn interest from Bayern Munich and several other clubs thanks to his forward runs, composure on the ball and defensive reliability.

Porto’s Martim Fernandes is another name in the frame. The 20-year-old has already accumulated more than 60 senior appearances, including in the Europa League and the Club World Cup, and offers an attack-minded profile similar to the overlapping full-backs Pep Guardiola favoured during his time at the Etihad.

Alex Freeman, the 21-year-old USA international, impressed at right back during the summer tournament on home soil under Mauricio Pochettino. Having moved from MLS to Villarreal in January, Freeman is under a long-term contract in Spain but his performances on the global stage have raised his profile — and his price.

Pedro Lima at Wolves presents a more unconventional option. The 20-year-old showed flashes of the talent that made him one of the most sought-after young full-backs in Europe when he arrived at Molineux, though Wolves’ relegation to the Championship complicates any potential deal.

City’s recruitment team faces a balancing act: finding a player with genuine top-level potential at a price that makes sense given the outlay already committed this window.