Yan Couto, the talented defender, is on the verge of completing his transfer from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund this week, according to a source familiar with the situation. The 22-year-old is expected to make the journey to Germany on Thursday to join the Bundesliga outfit on an initial loan deal with an obligation to make the move permanent for a fee of €30 million ($32.4m). Couto, who joined City in 2020, is yet to make a competitive appearance for the club but showcased his skills on loan at Girona last season. During his loan spell, he played 34 matches in LaLiga and played a pivotal role in helping the Spanish side secure qualification for the Champions League. Furthermore, Couto has earned four caps for Brazil after making his international debut in 2023.
The Unveiling of Sávio at Manchester City
In other transfer news, Manchester City is preparing to unveil their new signing, Sávio, at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The 20-year-old winger, who was Couto’s teammate at Girona last season, is the sole addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad this summer. The club is reportedly still considering offers for midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at West Ham. Phillips has been a crucial figure during City’s preseason tour of the United States, even filling in at centre-back during the team’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona in Orlando on Tuesday.
Barcelona’s Pursuit of João Cancelo
Meanwhile, Barcelona is on the brink of reaching an agreement to bring back full-back João Cancelo to the club. The 30-year-old is considered surplus to requirements at Manchester City and has previously had loan spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The potential return of Cancelo to Barcelona could provide the team with valuable experience and depth in the full-back position.
Yan Couto’s impending transfer to Borussia Dortmund, the unveiling of Sávio at Manchester City, and Barcelona’s pursuit of João Cancelo are significant developments in the ongoing transfer window. The movements of these players between top European clubs highlight the competitive nature of modern football and the constant search for talent and quality reinforcements. It will be interesting to see how these transfers unfold and impact the respective teams in the upcoming season.