City's valuation gap leaves Gusto chase in limbo
Manchester City's pursuit of Malo Gusto has hit a familiar stumbling block: the price. According to RMC Sport's Fabrice Hawkins, the Blues are unwilling to match the £75m asking price Chelsea have set on the 23-year-old right-back.
It is a figure that simply exceeds what City consider reasonable for the deal, and one that has also persuaded Paris Saint-Germain to step away. The French champions, long linked with the France international, are no longer pursuing a move at that level.
Gusto fits the profile City usually chase. Still only 23, already a France international, and with several seasons of Premier League experience behind him, he ticks the boxes for age and pedigree. The former Lyon full-back arrived at Chelsea for a fraction of his current valuation, which tells its own story about his development in England.
Whether Chelsea soften their stance remains to be seen. For now, the gap between valuation and willingness is the story.