Transfer Centre

Real Madrid 'decide against summer move for Manchester City's Yan Couto'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 12 February 2024

Real Madrid 'decide against summer move for Yan Couto'

Real Madrid reportedly decide against making a summer move for Manchester City right-back Yan Couto, who is currently on loan at Girona.

Real Madrid have reportedly decided against making a summer move for Manchester City right-back Yan Couto.

The 21-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for the Citizens since joining the club in 2020, and has instead gained first-team experience out on loan with Braga and Girona.

Couto spent a year with Girona and a year with Braga before returning to the former on a temporary basis for the 2023-24 campaign.

The Brazil international has played in 23 of Girona's 24 La Liga matches so far this season, scoring once and providing six assists, and is part of a squad that are surprisingly challenging Real Madrid for the title.

Couto most recently played for Girona in a top-of-the-table clash against Los Blancos, who comfortably beat the Catalan club 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend to move five points clear at the summit.

Girona's Yan Couto pictured on September 30, 2023 © Reuters

Real Madrid have allegedly been keeping tabs on Couto's performances at Girona this season, with some media outlets claiming that they view the right-back as a cheap option to strengthen their backline this summer.

However, according to Bernabeu Digital, Couto's most recent performance against Real Madrid has 'raised some doubts' internally about whether he would be a suitable summer signing for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Couto was run ragged by Los Blancos winger Vinicius Junior throughout the contest and was seen visibly upset after the full-time whistle as Girona lost ground on their rivals in the title race.

The youngster is due to return to Man City when his second loan spell at Girona expires at the end of the season, but his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain.

Yan Couto in action for Brazil under-17s in November 2019 © Reuters

At the end of last year, Couto expressed his desire to play at the highest level, but admitted that he is unsure whether he will be integrated into Pep Guardiola's Man City side.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Couto said: "Obviously I have hopes and I think about my future. I want to be at the highest level and I am very happy to be at Girona.

"But I also want to play in the Champions League, I don't know if here or at Manchester City, although I love Spain. I see myself playing more in La Liga, but we have to see what options we can consider for next [season]."

Asked if he could stay at Girona beyond this season, Couto added: "We have to talk about it, why not be here another year? I think it is also a City Group plan and will be discussed at the time, although we will leave it until the end of the season."

Should Couto, who has a contract with Man City until June 2025, return to the Etihad this summer, he could link up with current Girona loanee Savio, who has allegedly agreed to join the Citizens on a permanent deal from sister club Troyes.