Manchester City are among several clubs to have held preliminary talks with Malo Gusto's representatives, though the Chelsea right-back is not currently near the top of the club's shopping list in that position.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has spent three seasons at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Lyon in 2023, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's more technically sound right-backs. His stock has risen further after representing France at the ongoing World Cup in North America.
According to BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella, Gusto's camp has held exploratory talks with multiple clubs — City among them — though he does not currently rank as a leading right-back candidate for director of football Hugo Viana and co at this stage of the window.
Gusto's camp has held exploratory talks with multiple clubs — City among them
Exploratory contact through a player's representatives is standard fare in the summer market. Kinsella's phrasing suggests City are keeping tabs on Gusto's situation rather than actively pushing for a deal right now.
Whether that changes as the window progresses and City's wider recruitment picture becomes clearer remains to be seen.
Gusto offers the kind of athleticism and technical quality that would fit comfortably within Enzo Maresca's system, having spent his early years in English football playing under the Italian at Chelsea. That shared history adds a layer of intrigue to any potential pursuit, though the primary obstacle at this stage appears to be one of priority rather than profile.
City are understood to be focused on other areas of the squad first, with the right-back position not yet commanding the same urgency as midfield and attacking recruitment.
City have operated without a natural, established right-back following a period of upheaval in that position under Pep Guardiola, and are keen to arm Maresca with a fresh option. But for now, Gusto remains one of several names on a list rather than the name at the top of it.
Chelsea's own stance on Gusto and the defender's own wishes will also be determining factors should City's interest evolve beyond the exploratory phase reported so far.