From Spain: Real Madrid hold interest in ‘spectacular’ Manchester City defender

Manchester City could face a battle to retain the prospects and talents of rising Brazil international full-back Yan Couto amid reported interest from Real Madrid.

The reigning Premier League champions secured the signing of Couto from Brazilian side Coritiba in 2020, despite the player being heavily linked with a move to FC Barcelona, signing him on an initial five-year contract.

With City’s close ties to La Liga club Girona, Yan Couto has since spent two seasons on loan with the club alongside a deal in Portugal with SC Braga, as the Etihad club look to develop the player’s game with a view towards bringing him into their own first-team set-up.

However, as Yan Couto continues to excel in a Girona side challenging for the La Liga title this season, onlookers are taking notice of the player’s exceptional qualities that have led to him earning his first senior Brazil cap earlier in the ongoing campaign.

One such club is the team battling it out with Girona at the top of La Liga this season, as Real Madrid continue to eye the very best talents in the European game and further afield.

According to the information of Spanish newspaper Marca, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City’s Yan Couto has emerged as one of a number of players being considered by Real Madrid ahead of the next summer transfer window.

It is claimed that while the player not only ‘fits the profile of a position to be reinforced’ at the La Liga giants, the Brazil international’s ‘level’ in the game – largely seen while on loan at Girona – is ‘spectacular’.

Writing on Real Madrid’s thoughts on Yan Couto, the newspaper states, “The reports that are in the club in relation to the Brazilian are positive, but at the moment it has not gone beyond the phase of gathering information.

Marca continues, “Yan Couto stands out offensively, but he does not forget his main mission as a winger, which is to defend.”

Couto has so far amassed 24 appearances across all competitions for the City Football Group-linked side this season, scoring one goals and providing a further seven assists – all of which have come in La Liga.

It remains to be seen what Manchester City’s plans are for Couto beyond his current loan agreement with Girona, as the club aim to secure a long-term replacement for current club captain Kyle Walker.

Manchester City have also been linked with a former player in recent weeks, as the Etihad club eye the talents and progression seen by Pedro Porro under Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, whom they come up against next in the FA Cup fourth round this week.