Manchester City Plan January Move for Chelsea Defender Malo Gusto
- Manchester City are preparing to revisit a deal for Chelsea defender Malo Gusto in the January transfer window, with reports indicating Chelsea may be willing to lower their...
- A move for the French international would likely require a fee exceeding the current record for a right-back, which stands at £57m for Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi.
- Manchester City’s pursuit of Gusto coincides with a significant legal cloud over the club.
Manchester City are preparing to revisit a deal for Chelsea defender Malo Gusto in the January transfer window, with reports indicating Chelsea may be willing to lower their previous £70m valuation. Despite a successful start to the 2026/27 season, the Premier League leaders are looking to strengthen their defensive options, according to reporting by TEAMtalk.
Potential Transfer Record and Financial Context
A move for the French international would likely require a fee exceeding the current record for a right-back, which stands at £57m for Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi. While Manchester City were previously discouraged by Chelsea’s £70m asking price, recent developments suggest that the London club has shown a willingness to adjust their financial demands. This shift has reportedly opened the door for negotiations when the transfer window opens in January.
Impact of Ongoing Financial Regulation Charges
Manchester City’s pursuit of Gusto coincides with a significant legal cloud over the club. Following a verdict that found the team guilty of 114 out of 115 charges related to breaches of Premier League FFP rules between 2009 and 2018, the club faces potential sanctions. These include a huge fine, transfer ban, points deduction, expulsion and/or being stripped of their Premier League titles. While the club maintains its innocence and has appealed, the uncertainty surrounding these potential punishments remains an important caveat
to any planned transfer activity.
Manchester City’s Current Squad Performance
The club has maintained a strong performance on the pitch, currently sitting at the top of the Premier League table after winning their first seven matches of the 2026/27 campaign. This success follows a significant midfield reconstruction, which saw the arrival of World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez in a deal worth around £125m, alongside recruits Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. These additions were made following the departures of Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, and Tijani Reijnders.
Future Negotiations for Malo Gusto
Manchester City’s interest in Gusto is driven by the desire of Enzo Maresca to reunite with the defender at the Etihad Stadium. The club continues to monitor the player closely. As noted in the report regarding the potential for renewed talks:
We understand Chelsea’s demands have since dropped, potentially opening the door for City to return to the negotiating table when the January window opens. Gusto remains high on City’s radar, and the Manchester club are prepared to revisit the situation if the financial conditions become more favourable.
TEAMtalk
The final viability of a January bid remains subject to the club’s ongoing legal developments and the evolving financial terms set by Chelsea.