Enzo Maresca is pushing Manchester City to sign his former Chelsea player Malo Gusto, according to reports.
Man City are set to confirm Maresca as their new manager after reaching an agreement on compensation with Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Maresca, who left his role at Stamford Bridge in January, agreed to take over from legendary manager Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium at the end of last season.
Replacing club legends proved difficult at the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, where David Moyes and Unai Emery struggled following Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s respective exits.
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Maresca is hoping to bring in a number of his own signings this summer to avoid the same fate, having been linked with moves for his former Chelsea players Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.
But the Chelsea board view Palmer as ‘untouchable’ and Real Madrid are leading the race to sign wantaway midfielder Fernandez.
A Chelsea star could still be set to follow Maresca to Man City, however, with the Italian manager hoping to sign French right-back Gusto, according to talkSPORT.
Manchester City were in the race to sign Inter Milan defender Marco Palestra but have been forced to turn to other targets after Chelsea agreed a £51m deal.
One such target is Gusto, with Chelsea reportedly wanting at least £40m to sell the defender as they prepare to welcome Palestra to west London.
It was reported earlier this week that Chelsea were not ruling out a summer sale for Gusto, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Lyon in 2023.
Gusto has been a mainstay in the Chelsea team over the past three seasons, making 134 appearances since his £31m move from France.
The 23-year-old is currently at the World Cup with the much-fancied Franceand came on as a substitute in Monday’s 3-0 win over Iraq.
Manchester City’s priority this summer appears to be the signing of a new midfielder, with England World Cup star Elliot Anderson their top target.
Man City are weighing up a third offer for Anderson after Nottingham Forest rejected their second bid worth £120m.
Maresca left Chelsea in January, less than six months after winning the Club World Cup at the end of his first season at Stamford Bridge.
The 46-year-old takes over a Manchester City side who were the dominant force in English football under Guardiola and won a domestic cup double last season.
Guardiola failed to win the Premier League in his final season at the Etihad Stadium, however, with Man City finishing seven points behind new champions Arsenal.
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