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Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto has reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms to join Manchester City this summer, with the French international eager to reunite with his former manager Enzo Maresca. With Gusto having already given his approval for the switch, the transfer now hinges on City and Chelsea agreeing on a final transfer fee.

Reports from French outlet Foot Mercato suggest that Gusto has accepted the idea of moving to Manchester City. The Premier League champions moved quickly to assess the player’s interest and have successfully secured an agreement in principle. Since joining Chelsea from Olympique Lyonnais in January 2023 for €30 million, Gusto has become a dependable presence at Stamford Bridge. Over 134 appearances across all competitions, he has scored three goals and provided 17 assists, also helping the club lift the UEFA Europa Conference League in the 2024-25 season.

The potential reunion with Enzo Maresca appears to be a major motivation behind Gusto’s decision. Maresca, who is widely tipped to take over from Pep Guardiola as City’s next manager, previously worked with the 21-year-old during his tenure at Chelsea between July 2024 and January 2025. The two are known to share an excellent working relationship, and Maresca reportedly views Gusto as an integral part of his long-term plans at City.

Gusto, for his part, is said to be excited about reuniting with Maresca, particularly after their successful collaboration that led to Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup triumph in 2025. Manchester City have capitalised on this connection to convince the defender to join their project, seeing his experience and versatility as crucial assets for a team determined to reclaim the Premier League title from Arsenal.

However, the move is far from straightforward. Despite Gusto’s consent, City face a tough negotiation with Chelsea, who are holding firm on their valuation. The defender is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2030, and the Blues are reportedly demanding a substantial transfer fee. Following multiple transfer approaches for their key players this window, Chelsea are reluctant to approve another sale to a direct Premier League rival.

For now, Gusto’s focus remains on international duty with France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The right-back is preparing for a crucial round of 32 fixture against Sweden. Having earned 13 international caps so far, Gusto has made brief appearances in the tournament against Iraq and Norway, totalling 10 minutes on the pitch. While he concentrates on France’s campaign, discussions between Manchester City and Chelsea are expected to continue behind the scenes.