Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca may have been dealt an early blow in his hopes to recruit some of his former Chelsea stars.
The Italian is looking to build a team that will reclaim the Premier League, with the trophy heading to Liverpool and Arsenal in the last two seasons.
While Maresca has desires to bring in talented stars that he knows from his previous job, it may prove more difficult than he would have originally hoped.
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City plotting move for Chelsea right back
The top of Maresca’s shopping list is a move for defender Malo Gusto, but Chelsea don’t seem to be in any mood to help out their former boss.
According to reports in The Athletic, the Blues have slapped a £75m price tag on the Frenchman.
Man City view that price tag as prohibitively expensive, making a move for the full back unlikely for the time being.
Even the arrival of Italian right back Marco Palestra from Atalanta hasn’t altered their stance.
Chelsea view their new acquisition as competition for places, rather than as a replacement for any outgoings.
This could force Man City to look elsewhere for a replacement, with Newcastle’s Tino Livramento another long term target, but his injury record might dissuade them from pursuing that idea further.
Currently the first-choice right back option at the Etihad is Matheus Nunes, but Maresca would like more depth in that position.
Other options being assessed are Feyenoord‘s Givairo Read, a 20-year-old Dutchman, who is valued around £25m but would need time to adapt to the Premier League.
Another 20-year-old, Martim Fernandes from Porto, is being considered.