Manchester City fullback Yan Couto is nearing a transfer to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. The 22-year-old Brazilian impressed during his loan at La Liga club Girona last season, where he provided eight assists and scored one goal. With Couto keen to leave and Man City ready to cash in on him, the move is close to completion.
Couto has a €40 million release clause in his contract, which Dortmund are unwilling to pay. However, the German side has negotiated the price down to around €25 million, including add-ons. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the deal is close to being finalized, with only the final details left to be sorted out.
🟡⚫️🛫 Yan Couto, set to travel next week for medical tests at Borussia Dortmund if all goes to plan.
Final details to be sorted between BVB and Man City on deal structure and payment terms. pic.twitter.com/qLBuZd75Sk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 28, 2024
Yan Couto came through the youth setup at Brazilian club Coritiba. In 2019, he was included in The Guardian’s “Next Generation 2019” list as one of the 60 best young talents in the world. Manchester City signed the fullback for a reported fee of £4 million in the summer of 2020. Since joining Manchester City, Couto has spent four consecutive seasons on loan, predominantly at Girona.
The youngster’s first loan spell at Girona was in the Segunda Division, where he played 22 games. To gain top-flight experience, City subsequently loaned him to Braga, a top team in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. After another successful loan spell, Couto returned to Spain, this time on a two-year loan to newly promoted Girona.
Couto has become one of Girona’s integral players. He excels as a wing-back, frequently advancing to support the attack. He is pacy and a good crosser of the ball, making him an excellent player to link up with a target forward. However, his defensive capabilities are not as strong.
The Brazilian does not fit into Pep Guardiola’s system, which prefers inverted wing-backs and fullbacks. This makes his move to Dortmund ideal for both City and Couto. The 22-year-old will now have a permanent club in Germany to call home, while the Citizens will profit around €20 million from the sale.
