Chelsea greenlight Malo Gusto's £75m summer exit to Man City as Maresca eyes first signing

Chelsea appear to have opened the door for Malo Gusto's departure this summer, with Manchester City now primed to land the right-back as Enzo Maresca's first marquee signing at the Etihad Stadium. The move, reportedly valued at £75 million, would signal a major shake-up in both clubs' defensive setups and mark a clear statement of intent from the newly installed City boss.

For Chelsea, cashing in on a player who only joined from Lyon in January 2023 represents a pragmatic decision under their ongoing squad rebuild. The Blues have invested heavily in young talent, and Gusto's rapid emergence—he made 27 appearances last season—has attracted significant interest. With Reece James still the first-choice right-back when fit, Chelsea may view this as an opportunity to balance the books while reinvesting in other positions.

At Manchester City, Maresca's pursuit of Gusto makes tactical sense. The Italian manager, who took over from Pep Guardiola, wants a dynamic full-back capable of pushing high and contributing in the final third—a profile that suits the Premier League champions' system. With Kyle Walker entering the twilight of his career and inconsistent back-up options, Gusto offers a long-term solution.

The £75 million price tag would make Gusto one of the most expensive full-backs in history, but City are no strangers to big-money deals. For Chelsea, it would represent a significant profit on the player who cost around £26 million. The decision to sell suggests the club is prioritizing financial flexibility as they continue to shape their squad under new head coach Enzo Maresca's counterpart at Stamford Bridge.

This transfer saga could define the summer window for both clubs. For City, landing a top young defender early would give Maresca a strong foundation; for Chelsea, the funds could accelerate their own rebuild. All eyes will be on whether an agreement can be reached swiftly, or if City test Chelsea's resolve with a lower bid.