Enzo Maresca is interested in signing Malo Gust, but Manchester City disagree with Chelsea's assessment

Enzo Maresca has a personal interest in bringing Malo Gust back to Manchester City, although the significant difference in valuation with Chelsea could complicate any deal for the 23-year-old defender. Strongly being linked with a move to the Etihad, the French international's profile as an attacking and technical right-back fits with the system that new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca intends to implement. Earlier this week, reports emerged that sources close to the player indicate he is open to the move, adding further impetus to City's interest ahead of what is expected to be a busy trading period for sporting director Hugo Vian.

According to Sun Sport's Jack Rosser, Maresca's personal interest in the deal goes beyond Gust, with City also reportedly considering bringing in Enzo Fernandes from Chelsea this summer. However, the report mentions that City's internal valuation of Gust is significantly lower than Chelsea's £75 million asking price, with the difference representing a major obstacle to what is reportedly a desired move for both player and manager. Chelsea's staunch stance on price is complicated by the ongoing legal dispute between the two clubs over Maresca's departure from Stamford Bridge, adding another layer of complexity to any direct negotiations for a player City's new manager clearly values ​​highly.

The £75m asking price for the right-back would be a significant investment, even by the standards of Manchester City's summer rebuild, although Viana has shown some reluctance to move quickly and big when the target is identified as truly a priority. The Fernandes corner is also a prominent element, suggesting that Maresca's interest in the Chelsea squad goes beyond just one position and that City's recruitment department has carefully identified the players best suited to the manager's requirements before his official appointment. Whether City will be left with the opportunity to bridge the gap in Gust's assessment, explore an alternative target on the right flank or pursue both avenues at the same time remains to be seen - but given Mareschi's personal interest in the Frenchman, who is not considered a priority target at the moment, the chase is unlikely to be abandoned just because of Chelsea's initial request.