{
  "id": 19617312,
  "title": "Man Utd and Man City set for £75m transfer battle over Chelsea defender Malo Gusto after losing starting spot to Josh Acheampong under Xabi Alonso",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/man-utd-and-man-city-set-for-75m-transfer-battle-over-chelsea",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-12T07:10:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/man-utd-man-city-set-071013620.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manchester United and Manchester City are engaged in a £75 million transfer battle for Chelsea defender Malo Gusto. The French right-back has fallen behind academy product Josh Acheampong in the Chelsea pecking order since head coach Xabi Alonso's arrival. Despite club captain Reece James being sidelined due to injury, Acheampong has increasingly been favored on the right side of the Chelsea backline. Signed from Lyon for around £26 million in 2023, Gusto had been a regular starter with 144 appearances and three goals across all competitions before his current downturn. However, he has only started three of his seven top-flight games this season. His limited minutes have sparked speculation about his future, with both Manchester United and Manchester City closely monitoring his situation. Manchester City had previously shown interest in securing Gusto during the summer transfer window, even exploring a potential move under the management of former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. However, financial restrictions resulting from ongoing regulatory proceedings related to their £900 million revenue inflation scandal may complicate City's pursuit of the defender. Meanwhile, Manchester United is set to begin negotiations with new US boss Mauricio Pochettino, but the impending managerial change alongside City's legal battle leaves the outcome of any potential January transfer uncertain.",
  "summary": "Manchester United and Manchester City are monitoring Chelsea defender Malo Gusto as the west London club place a £75 million price tag on the peripheral right-back. The 23-year-old Frenchman has fallen behind Josh Acheampong in the Stamford Bridge pecking order since head coach Xabi Alonso took charge.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}