Chelsea’s defensive exodus deepens as Gusto eyes £75m exit after Cucurella departure

Chelsea’s defensive overhaul is accelerating: Malo Gusto is exploring his options to leave the club this summer, with the Blues slapping a £75m price tag on the 23-year-old right-back. The decision comes after Chelsea agreed a deal in principle to sign Atalanta’s Marco Palestra, a player in the same position, for a fee in excess of £43m. Gusto, who joined from Lyon for about £31m in 2023, was already aware his future was uncertain before that move. Sources have told BBC Sport that his representatives have held exploratory talks with multiple clubs, including Manchester City. City are keen on signing a right-back to compete with Matheus Nunes next season, but sources indicate Gusto is not a leading candidate at this stage of the window. Any move to the Etihad would reunite the Frenchman with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, under whom he played for 18 months before the Italian left Stamford Bridge in January. Chelsea need to make significant player sales this summer after finishing 10th in the Premier League and missing out on European football. The exodus has already begun: Spain full-back Marc Cucurella joined Real Madrid this summer in a £52m deal, and the La Liga side’s interest in Chelsea does not stop there. Real Madrid, now managed by Jose Mourinho, have pushed Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez to the top of their shortlist. Cucurella has urged Fernandez to make the move to the Bernabéu, though Chelsea value the World Cup winner at £120m. With Chelsea also aiming to sign at least one centre-back alongside Palestra, the futures of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana hang in the balance. Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, are interested in Chalobah after qualifying for the Champions League, but the cost of the deal is deterring a formal offer. While City have distanced themselves from Gusto – possibly due to the £75m price – they have been without a natural right-back since Kyle Walker left in January 2025. Nunes, 28, has excelled in the role after converting from midfield, scoring one goal and providing seven assists in the Premier League last season.