The summer transfer window has a way of generating heat before any fire actually starts. The latest: Malo Gusto, Chelsea’s French right-back, is being linked with a move to Manchester City, reportedly driven by his desire to reunite with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
Gusto played under Maresca at Chelsea during the 2025/26 season, and the relationship between a player and his former coach is often the invisible thread that pulls transfers into motion.
What we actually know
As of late June 2026, no formal bids have been submitted and no negotiations between Manchester City and Chelsea have taken place.
Chelsea has placed a £75 million valuation on Gusto. Transfermarkt, the widely referenced player valuation platform, puts his market value closer to €35 million. That is a significant gap, roughly double, and gaps like that tend to stall conversations before they begin.
