Mauricio Pochettino wants €90m Chelsea star as first Man Utd signing

Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign Chelsea defender Malo Gusto as Mauricio Pochettino eyes a reunion with the France international.

Gusto worked with Pochettino during his debut season at Stamford Bridge in 2023-24 and he was one of Chelsea’s standout performers across the campaign, with the 23-year-old forming an excellent relationship with Cole Palmer on the right flank.

However, his form has dipped since the departure of Pochettino and after an underwhelming 12 months, he has fallen down the pecking order under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Gusto has only started three of Chelsea’s 10 Premier League matches so far this term, and he has been usurped by academy graduate Josh Acheampong and summer signing Marco Palestra at right-back, despite Reece James’ absence through injury.

It was widely reported that Chelsea were willing to sell Gusto if their €90 million asking price was met over the summer and while the Frenchman was initially keen to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge, he is now open to leaving the club in January.

This has been confirmed by BBC Sport, who report that Gusto is assessing his options ahead of the winter window.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT claim that Manchester City and Man Utd are both interested in signing Gusto next year, following rumoured interest from Liverpool over the summer.

Man City have been searching for a new right-back for several seasons and Enzo Maresca is understood to be the driving force behind their pursuit of Gusto, having worked with the 23-year-old at Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Man Utd are also keeping close tabs on his situation at Stamford Bridge ahead of the imminent appointment of Pochettino as their new manager.

The Red Devils have confirmed the sacking of Michael Carrick after just one win in their opening 10 matches of the new Premier League season, and it has been widely reported that Pochettino is set to replace him in the Old Trafford dugout.

A deal is in place for the Argentine to become the eighth different permanent Man Utd manager since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, and having successfully worked with Gusto at Chelsea, his interest in the Frenchman comes as little surprise.

Diogo Dalot is currently Man Utd’s first-choice right-back, but he has been widely criticised by the club’s supporters throughout his time at Old Trafford, and with the club eager to bolster their defensive roster in 2027, Gusto could become the first signing of the Pochettino era in January.