Manchester City is looking to bolster their defense with a potential move for Malo Gusto from Chelsea, as new manager Enzo Maresca aims to strengthen the right side of his lineup. Maresca, who has a history with Gusto from their time together at Stamford Bridge, desires a natural full-back who aligns with his possession-based strategy.

While City has explored various options to fill this position, Gusto's familiarity with Maresca’s system could ease the transition period for the player. However, securing Gusto's services may be challenging, particularly due to Chelsea’s reluctance to sell to a direct Premier League competitor without a significant financial incentive.

According to Football Insider, City has received the green light to initiate talks with Chelsea regarding Gusto, who is reportedly Maresca’s top target for the right-back role. This development follows Maresca’s official appointment on June 29, where he signed a three-year contract until 2029.

The primary hurdle remains Chelsea's valuation of £75 million, as reported by The Independent. The club is not actively seeking to offload Gusto, whose contract runs until 2030, which strengthens their negotiating position. While Gusto’s attributes—his speed, energy, and offensive contributions—make him a compelling candidate for Maresca’s tactics, City must weigh the financial implications of such a hefty investment for a player who has not consistently been a starter at Chelsea. Negotiations are expected, but City may need to resist overpaying simply because of Maresca's prior acquaintance with Gusto.