Man City Plot January Return for Malo Gusto as Chelsea Cut £70m Asking Price

Manchester City are preparing to revive their pursuit of Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto in the January transfer window after the Londoners lowered their hefty summer valuation. The Etihad Stadium outfit walked away from negotiations earlier this year when the Blues demanded a fee that would have shattered the world-record price for a full-back.

Reduced Valuation Tempts Etihad Hierarchy

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City remain keen on bringing the 23-year-old defender to the north-west this winter if Stamford Bridge chiefs soften their financial stance further. Chelsea previously priced their domestic rivals out of a summer move by demanding £70 million, a sum eclipsing the £57m world-record fee for a right-back that Paris Saint-Germain paid for Achraf Hakimi. Those demands have dropped ahead of the mid-season market.

Financial Case Clouds Winter Recruitment

Gusto originally signed a seven-year deal with the west Londoners in January 2023 in a €30m (£26m) switch from Olympique Lyon, staying in France on loan before linking up with his new team-mates that summer. Tied down until June 2030, the Frenchman has featured five times in the Premier League and twice in the Carabao Cup during the 2026-27 campaign.

The report notes that City view the versatile full-back as an ideal long-term addition with plenty of room to develop. They are ready to return to the negotiating table if the financial terms become more favourable.

Any January approach hinges on the outcome of the club’s ongoing financial rule-breaking case. Potential sporting sanctions from that hearing could restrict their ability to register new players and have created wider uncertainty around their winter transfer plans.

Squad Depth Softens Blues Stance

At Stamford Bridge, fierce competition for places under head coach Xabi Alonso could persuade the board to cash in if an acceptable bid arrives.

Club captain Reece James remains the first-choice option when fit, while new Italian signing Marco Palestra, academy graduate Josh Acheampong and winger Pedro Neto, who has frequently filled in at right wing-back this term, all provide cover.

James is currently sidelined through injury. Chelsea expect their skipper to return in late January or early February, meaning his temporary absence is unlikely to block Gusto’s exit or deter City from testing the waters.

January Negotiations Depend on Price

Whether a winter transfer materialises will depend on City avoiding a recruitment ban and Chelsea settling on a realistic compromise fee. Having already lowered their initial £70m valuation, the Blues must decide how much is enough to sanction the departure of a reliable Premier League performer to a direct rival. Gusto will continue battling for minutes under Alonso ahead of the window opening in the new year.

Stay with TipsGG for the latest transfer developments as the January window approaches.