Chelsea Sets £75m Price for Malo Gusto Amid City Interest

Chelsea have drawn a thick line under Malo Gusto’s name – and written £75 million next to it.

The 23-year-old Frenchman, signed from Lyon for around £31m in 2023, is weighing up his future in West London just as his place in the squad comes under direct threat. Chelsea’s hierarchy have moved aggressively in the market again, and this time the squeeze is being felt at right-back.

Palestra deal turns up the heat

The pressure on Gusto has sharpened since Chelsea agreed a deal in principle to sign Atalanta’s Marco Palestra for a fee in excess of £43m. A specialist right-back, Palestra’s arrival would immediately crowd an already contested position.

Sensing the shift, Gusto’s camp have not waited around. His representatives have started exploratory talks with several major clubs, testing the water for a summer move while Chelsea set their price at a level that makes clear they will not be pushed around.

Among those contacted: Manchester City.

City interest, Maresca link – but a big problem

City are in the market for a right-back and the Etihad hierarchy have been made aware of Gusto’s situation. A move to Manchester would reunite him with Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea head coach he worked under for 18 months before the Italian’s departure in January.

The fit on paper is obvious. Young, athletic, technically sharp, Gusto ticks many of the boxes City typically look for in a full-back.

But the numbers bite.

BBC reports indicate that City view Chelsea’s £75m valuation as a major stumbling block. They want competition and a long-term solution on the right, but not at any price.

Complicating matters further is the form of Matheus Nunes. Converted from midfield, the Portugal international has flourished in the role, scoring once and laying on seven assists in the Premier League last season. His performances drew high praise from former manager Pep Guardiola, who hailed him as one of the most exciting emerging right-backs in the division.

City still want a natural, younger specialist in the position. Yet with Nunes thriving and Chelsea holding firm at £75m, the champions are keeping their options open rather than plunging headlong into a bidding war.

Chelsea’s financial squeeze and defensive clear-out

Chelsea’s stance on Gusto is shaped as much by the balance sheet as by the tactics board.

A 10th-place finish last season, no European football and years of heavy spending have left the club under pressure to generate significant funds from sales. The need to trade smartly has already seen Marc Cucurella move to Real Madrid in a £52m deal earlier this summer.

The reshaping of the squad is far from over. Chelsea want to strengthen in other areas, and that means tough calls at the back. Several established defenders are now walking a tightrope: Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana all face uncertain futures as the club looks to trim what has become a bloated group.

Gusto, once seen as a cornerstone for the right flank, now finds himself caught between Chelsea’s financial reality and their tactical reset.

Market closes in, options narrow

City, for their part, have already started to close off some avenues. They have ruled out a move for Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, while Pedro Porro has committed his future to Tottenham, removing another high-level option from the board.

That keeps Gusto in the conversation, even if City have distanced themselves from Chelsea’s current asking price. For now, he is a live name on their list, but not at £75m.

And while Gusto weighs up his options, another Chelsea defender edges towards the door.

Chalobah on Como’s radar

Trevoh Chalobah is attracting serious interest from Serie A side Como, now managed by Cesc Fabregas. The project, the league, the chance for a fresh start – Chalobah is understood to be open to the move.

The obstacle is, again, the cost.

Como are wary of the overall financial package and have yet to turn their admiration into a formal offer. The Italians like the player; the numbers make them hesitate.

Chelsea, meanwhile, stand at a crossroads with their defence. A £75m price on Gusto, a reshuffle in full swing, big decisions looming over multiple centre-backs – and one of Europe’s superclubs hovering, interested but unconvinced.

How long can that valuation hold once the window’s pressure really begins to bite?