Manchester United and Manchester City are both keeping tabs on Malo Gusto, talkSPORT understands.The Chelsea defender has seen his role reduced since Xabi Alonso‘s arrival at Stamford Bridge, leading him to be linked with an exit.Malo Gusto has not been a regular starter for Chelsea this seasonGettyGusto has not started a Premier League match since September 12 and has increasingly lost his place to Josh Acheampong at right-back, despite captain Reece James being injured.Two-horse race?Two of Chelsea’s rivals could now be set to pounce, with both City and United understood to be interested in Gusto.It is not currently clear whether either side will make an official approach in the January transfer window.Man City were previously linked with a move for Gusto in the summer, who were keen for a reunion between the 23-year-old and former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.talkSPORT understands Chelsea value the Frenchman at £75million, however their efforts to sign him could be affected by other matters.City are still awaiting the outcome of their appeal against the Premier League following their guilty verdict on 114 charges of breaching financial rules.The Premier League giants were adjudged to have artificially inflated their revenue by £900million via ‘sham’ contracts over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.While City have since launched an appeal, they are yet to learn the outcome of this, and their pending sanctions hearing will complicate any pursuit of Gusto.Man United also find themselves at a crossroads amid their interest in the full-back.The Red Devils look poised for a change in management, with a deal agreed in principle for USA boss Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.Gusto made 49 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea in the 2025/26 seasonGettyMaresca previously managed Gusto between 2024 and 2026 at ChelseaGettyGusto’s Chelsea career so farGusto joined Chelsea in 2023 from Lyon for around £26m.He has been a regular fixture in the team ever since, making 144 appearances and scoring three goals in all competitions.However, this season he has slipped down the pecking order under new manager Alonso, starting just three of his seven Premier League appearances this term.Other than this, Gusto started all three of the Blues’ Carabao Cup fixtures, before their fourth-round exit to Liverpool on penalties.His performance in the defeat did little to help his case for more minutes, with concerns being raised over him.Gusto was the target of plenty of Chelsea fan ire as he was booed off when he was replaced in the 67th minute, and talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham and Andy Townsend both weighed in on this.Gusto’s theatrics in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool left talkSPORT’s Townsend unimpressedGettyDurham said: “There were cheers from the Chelsea fans at Anfield when he was taken off. He was awful.“One Chelsea fan messaged me saying I don’t want to see him in a Chelsea shirt again. “Players go through this, but it feels like it could be the end of the road. He was actually linked with Man City in the summer, and they’re talking about him going Man City in January. “I don’t really understand what City see, but I’m being a very harsh critic of a footballer here.”Townsend, meanwhile, accused Gusto of going ‘a little soft’, criticising for him going to ground easily and playing for free-kicks.