Manchester City are weighing up a move for Chelsea right back Malo Gusto, but the West London club have priced him out of reach — slapping a £75 million asking price on the Frenchman that City consider far too steep.

Manager Enzo Maresca, who previously led Chelsea before taking charge at the Etihad, is keen to recruit players he knows well from his time in West London as he looks to rebuild a City side that has missed out on the Premier League title for the past two seasons — trophies that went to Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.

Gusto out of reach for now

Chelsea's firm valuation has effectively halted City's pursuit in its tracks. The Manchester club regard £75 million as prohibitively expensive for a full back, making an immediate deal for Gusto highly unlikely.

Chelsea's signing of Italian right back Marco Palestra from Atalanta has done nothing to soften their stance on Gusto's availability. The Blues view Palestra as competition for places rather than a ready-made replacement, meaning they have no pressing need to cash in on Gusto.

Alternative targets in the frame

With Gusto seemingly out of the picture for the time being, City are exploring other avenues. Newcastle United's Tino Livramento has emerged as another long-standing target, though concerns over his injury record may temper their interest.

Matheus Nunes currently fills the right back role at the Etihad, but Maresca is eager to add competition and depth to that position. Two younger options are also under consideration: Feyenoord's Givairo Read, a 20-year-old Dutchman valued at around £25 million who would require time to settle into the Premier League, and Martim Fernandes, another 20-year-old, who plays for Porto.

Whether City can close the gap on the title-winning clubs around them will depend in part on how effectively they address their squad needs this summer — starting with the right back position.