For now, it does seem that the summer transfer window is on pause as the 2026 World Cup reaches its crescendo. Manchester City have completed the signings of Elliot Anderson, Pierce Charles, Mathys Detourbet, and Jeremy Monga. However, there are other areas of Enzo Maresca’s squad that need to be refined. The positions that City look to be focused on strengthening are right-back, another midfielder and potentially another winger. It would also appear that the transfer market may spark to life when the World Cup concludes.
Looking at Manchester City’s chase for a right-back to provide cover and competition for Matheus Nunes, it seems that City may have settled on the player they wish to sign. Chelsea’s French international Malo Gusto seems to be City’s first-choice signing based on what has unfolded with other right-backs so far this summer.
Manchester City have reportedly received the ‘green light’ to move for Malo Gusto as other right-back targets come off the market.
Pete O’Rourke has reported for Football Insider that Manchester City have been given the ‘green light’ to pursue a move for Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto. Furthermore, it is reported that Enzo Maresca has identified the French international as his top target to bolster the right-back position. It is also reported that City have held talks with Gusto’s representatives over a potential summer move to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners. Lastly, O’Rourke reports that with Chelsea signing Marco Palestra from Atalanta and also having Reece James at the club, they may be willing to sell Malo Gusto this summer.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Nottingham Forest have seen a bid rejected by Feyenoord for Givairo Read. Read has previously been named as a Manchester City transfer target. Romano reports that Feyenoord rejected Forest’s opening bid of €17.5 million. Lastly, Romano adds that Nottingham Forest are expected to return with an improved offer for Read.
Also, another potential target for Manchester City to come in at right-back, Marco Palestra, has completed a move from Atalanta to Chelsea. With that move complete, the list of right-backs that City could sign has dwindled.
Perhaps there will be movement on City’s bid to sign Malo Gusto after the World Cup.
Based on Palestra’s move to Chelsea and Nottingham Forest’s bid to sign Givairo Read from Feyenoord, it would seem that Manchester City have settled on a move for Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto. Looking at the Givairo Read situation, if City had planned to move for the talented young full-back, it is unlikely that they’d let Forest swoop in first. Perhaps that could change, but it does seem improbable that City would let another club get in ahead of them for a player they were targeting.
Assuming the pieces have fallen the way recent reports indicate, Malo Gusto looms as the right-back that City will target. However, Chelsea’s asking price may be steep if City do pursue a move for him. Also, with Malo Gusto at the World Cup with France, with a semi-final and one other match left to play, there is unlikely to be any substantial updates on Manchester City’s reported chase for Gusto until the World Cup ends.
It does seem that Malo Gusto is the last right-back standing in a sense for Manchester City to attempt to sign this summer. Looking at how the right-back market is playing out, Gusto does look to be the player that City want to sign to provide cover and competition for Matheus Nunes. It now remains to be seen if that is what transpires this summer.
Everything I read with O’Rourkes name and Football Insider and a procession of so called experts who have no connection whatsoever to City with their only qualification being a desire to earn a few bob.
To put it politely they have zero credibility and of no interest to me.
As for Malo Gusto haven’t we been stung enough by Chelsea recruiting Maresco to have learnt the lesson that we don’t need to spend £75 million or even a few pennies less filling a position that doesn’t really need addressing.
If we really need competition there give John Stones an extended contract. His problem was surely regular injuries never his ability.
Fair enough on the first part of the comment.
Perhaps Rico Lewis is given a better shot by Maresca to cover for Nunes, but outside of him and Khusanov we don’t have any other cover if Nunes was to go down injured for an extended period of time.
The £75 million reported price for Gusto I can’t see City going near. Perhaps that situation could change after the World Cup, we’ll find out that answer soon enough.
No one doubted Stones’ ability, but the club made the call to let him go based on his previous fitness issues. Based on Stones’ injury record it was probably the right call. Stones talent had never been, and will never be, in question. His durability was the issue. Everyone wishes him all the best but it did seem to be the right call on Stones, similar to the one made on De Bruyne the season prior.
Take your point about John Stones injury record which we have been led to believe was why we let him go but I read elsewhere today that throughout the period he wasn’t being selected he was actually fit to play which undermines the argument.
For whatever reason he lost form I can’t see Rico Lewis being the alternative but why not use John Stones in that role if needs must? I find it a struggle to accept that Stones is likely to play in the semi final on Wednesday but isn’t fit enough to play for City.
Essentially my point is why waste money on a Nunez back up when there’s no way we’d do that with Nico O’Reilly.
Ok City won’t pay £75 m for Gusto but the gossip columns are still suggesting it might be a deal at £45m. Isn’t there an option from the Academy?
We already have Rayan Ait-Nouri who we’d agree would be Nico O’Reilly’s backup.
On those Stones comments they were odd. I doubt Pep would say publicly that he was injured when he wasn’t given Pep’s love for Stones. Pep said it a lot about Stones’ absence last season so I’m not sure where the truth lies there between Pep & John Stones’ comments about him being fit. In the end, I don’t think Pep trusted Stones to stay fit.
On the academy, Mfuni and Alleyne look to be the next defenders who are closest to first team football but neither can play exclusively at right-back. Mfuni has played at left-back at times,he did that at Watford but is he ready for a first team role and could he slot in as Nunes’ backup? I’m not sure yet and he’s coming back from a serious injury.
I think Maresca is keen to sign Gusto given their time together at Chelsea. But we’ll see what happens there. There is merit to the idea of looking elsewhere but the right-back market isn’t exactly filled with stand out alternatives.
Yeah, the Stones call was a no-brainer. The best ability is availability, as they say.
In the recent past, there has been a lot of talk by MC supporters online about Ivan Fresneda (Sporting), Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray) and Read.
Not my first choice, but I’d be fine with a fee of £45 M for him. They’ve already spent on Palestra, and will probably be looking to move MG on. Personally, I’d prefer that we didn’t do business with the classless jerks that own and operate that club currently.
I’ve think you’ve nailed it on the head as to why I’m especially reluctant to buy anything from Chelsea. The whole drawn out process in appointing Maresco was orchestrated to make it as painful and difficult as possible for City. As if Chelsea never talk to prospective signings before appointing them. Revenge a dish best served cold.