Gusto provisionally agrees Man City move to reunite with Maresca in £75m Chelsea transfer

Malo Gusto has provisionally agreed to join Manchester City this summer in a move that would reunite the French right-back with Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea head coach poised to take charge at the Etihad Stadium.

According to Foot Mercato, Gusto has given City the green light to pursue a deal, with Maresca understood to want him as a ‘key part’ of his new project. The stumbling block now lies with Chelsea, who are under no immediate pressure to sell — the 23-year-old is contracted until 2030 and the club value him at around £75 million, significantly more than the £31 million they paid Lyon to sign him in 2024.

Maresca is not yet officially installed at City, with the club and Chelsea still working towards a compensation settlement following his departure from Stamford Bridge in January. His appointment is expected to be confirmed shortly, and City have already moved quickly in the market — a £116 million deal to sign Elliot Anderson is said to be close to completion.

Gusto’s potential arrival would add depth and familiarity to Maresca’s backline. Chelsea, meanwhile, are also closing in on Marco Palestra, who would provide further competition at right-back — though that signing alone is not expected to open the door for Gusto’s exit.

Elsewhere in Chelsea’s transfer activity, incoming manager Xabi Alonso is keen to reunite with former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, who joined Sunderland last summer. The Blues have made an £8 million approach for the Swiss international, but Sunderland have rejected the offer and stated that Xhaka is not available at any price.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are navigating a significant transition following Pep Guardiola’s departure last month after a decade of sustained domestic dominance. Maresca, who served as Guardiola’s assistant before taking the Chelsea job, is set to inherit a squad in need of reshaping — and his early pursuit of Gusto suggests he intends to build around players he knows and trusts.