Arsenal to seriously consider summer move for Manchester City defender

Manchester City are reportedly set for summer transfer window interest from Premier League title rivals Arsenal, according to fresh claims this week.

That concerns rising Brazil international full-back Yan Couto, who has spent the last season excelling in Girona’s successful pursuit of UEFA Champions League qualification for the forthcoming 2024/25 campaign.

Starring at right-back for Míchel’s Catalan side, Couto earned himself a debut Brazil international cap last autumn as a direct result of his performances in La Liga, alongside fellow City Football Group loanee Savio.

While the latter is expected to earn himself a slot in Manchester City’s pre-season camp ahead of the new season, the feeling surrounding Couto is that a permanent exit could be entertained, with some reports suggesting a valuation in the region of £40 million.

Amid talk of interest from the likes of Bayer Leverkusen – who could yet part ways with Jeremie Frimpong – as well as Juventus, alongside clubs from within the Premier League, it is Mikel Arteta and his colleagues who receive the latest mention.

According to the information of Football Transfers’ Steve Kay, Premier League title rivals Arsenal have been ‘instructed to seriously consider’ a summer move for Manchester City’s Yan Couto by chief scout Paulo Xavier.

It is claimed that alongside the Gunners’ hope of signing additional cover at right-back, they feel that Yan Couto could be the profile of player to provide exactly that, following on from an exemplary spell with Girona in La Liga.

With the 21-year-old senior Brazil international yet to make a first-team appearance for Manchester City, as things stand that is unlikely to change in the near future, according to the report.

Manchester City and Arsenal have not been afraid to enter into transfer negotiations in previous markets, with the Premier League champions having sold multi-top-flight winners Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta himself can be argued as being a product of Manchester City in a coaching sense, with the Spaniard working alongside Pep Guardiola during the Catalan’s first two seasons at the club and bringing plenty of personal and collective success with him.

City have long taken the stance of if a player shows interest in an exit from the club, they will be allowed to do so, providing they and their representatives can bring a serious offer to the negotiating table.

Only time will tell if Arsenal opt to solidify any admiration in Yan Couto into a concrete approach to Etihad Stadium recruitment bosses.