The search for a right-back looks set to continue for Manchester City

Manchester City remain in the market for a right-back. It did seem that Atalanta’s impressive young right-back Marco Palestra could be the player that City would bring in this summer. However, it now seems that Palestra could be on his way to Inter Milan. If that proves to be the case, then City’s search for a right-back will continue. Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto has been named as a potential target for City and the French right-back could come in and fill a role in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders’ squad.

Manchester City look set to miss out on Marco Palestra.

It now seems like Manchester City will miss out on signing Atalanta’s young right-back Marco Palestra. A report from Matteo Moretto indicates that Inter Milan and Atalanta are edging closer to an agreement that will see Palestra sign for the Serie A champions. It is believed that Inter Milan will pay around or over €50 million to sign Palestra.

Marco Palestra ticks a lot of boxes that Manchester City need a right-back to tick. He is great in possession, versatile and technically gifted. Defensively, Palestra is solid, with room to grow as a player. However, it now seems that City won’t be moving for Palestra and will instead focus on other transfer targets for the right-back position.

Malo Gusto could be a player that City turn to this summer.

Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips has reported via his exclusive Substack column that Malo Gusto’s agent is in talks with several clubs over a summer move for his client. It is reported that Manchester City and Inter Milan are two clubs that Gusto’s agent has held talks with. It remains to be seen if City have any concrete interest in signing the French international. However, it is reported that Malo Gusto and Enzo Maresca have a close relationship. It is also reported that Maresca is driving City’s pursuit of Gusto.

Malo Gusto wouldn’t be classed as a needle-moving signing for Manchester City. Gusto is a tidy right-back with flaws in his game. He does need to improve defensively as he can be caught out of position on occasions. Aerially, Gusto struggles due to the fact that he is only 178 centimetres tall. Gusto isn’t a complete liability defensively. However, he would need to improve this area of his game to play at Manchester City.

Malo Gusto is a weapon going forward. He thrives as an overlapping full-back and his delivery from out wide could be of use to an Enzo Maresca side. Also, Maresca is extremely quick so his pace could be a valuable asset to Manchester City. Technically, Gusto is good in possession so he’d be better as an attacking right-back for City than he would be defensively.

Manchester City look set to miss out on Marco Palestra as Inter Milan look to be close to signing the Italian international. Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto has now been named as a City target. Gusto is a different type of right-back to Palestra. However, you do wonder if Manchester City could look elsewhere given Gusto’s frailties as a defender.