Chelsea defender Malo Gusto is exploring options to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with the club placing a £75m price tag on the winger. The 23-year-old right-back's future is more uncertain after Chelsea agreed an in-principle deal to sign Atalanta's Marco Palestra, who plays in the same position, for a fee in excess of £43m. Gusto was aware that his future was uncertain before this move, and sources told BBC Sport that his representatives held exploratory talks with a number of clubs, including Manchester City.
City are interested in signing a right-back to compete with Matheus Nunes next season, but BBC Sport sources indicate that, although there is interest in Gusto, he is not one of the main candidates at this point in the transfer window. Any move to the Etihad Stadium would mean Gusto would reunite with his former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, under whose guidance he played for 18 months before the Italian's departure from Stamford Bridge in January.
Chelsea need to make significant player sales this summer after finishing 10th in the Premier League last season and missing out on qualification for European competition. Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella joined Real Madrid this summer in a deal worth £52m. The La Liga club are also interested in midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was placed at the top of their list following José Mourinho's appointment at the Bernabeu. However, Chelsea value the Argentina international at £120m.
Chelsea are looking to strengthen their squad and want at least one centre-back to join Palestra's side. This has put the futures of several players, including Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana, in doubt. Chalobah is attracting interest from Serie A club Como, who qualified for the Champions League with a fourth-place finish under Cesc Fabregas. It is understood that Chalobah is open to a move, but the potential cost of the deal is deterring the Italians from making a formal offer.