Vitor Reis seals Manchester City exit for 2025/26 season | OneFootball

Manchester City have confirmed a temporary exit for highly-rated central defender Vitor Reis for the 2025/26 campaign.

The Brazilian teenager only joined City from Palmeiras in January for £29.6 million but did not feature in the club’s Academy season in 2024/25, instead training and integrating with first-team operations.

Given the depth at centre-back for Pep Guardiola and the club’s focus on ensuring he gains regular senior minutes, a loan within the City Football Group setup had been anticipated for several weeks.

Reis, who is just 19 years old, has been the subject of internal discussions regarding his development pathway since his arrival. Manchester City officials believe that exposure to a top European league in a tactically demanding environment will accelerate his readiness for consistent Premier League football.

Girona, who have enjoyed successful campaigns in La Liga under manager Míchel, were long identified as a leading destination due to the stylistic similarities between their system and Pep Guardiola’s.

The move also follows Manchester City’s continued strategy of placing emerging South American signings in competitive but familiar footballing environments, echoing past pathways taken by other young talents within the CFG structure.

Now, as confirmed by Manchester City and Girona this week, Vitor Reis has headed out on loan for the forthcoming campaign, spending the 2025/26 season in La Liga with the City Football Group club.

Additional reporting prior to official confirmation of the deal has also suggested that City officials have included a clause that enables them to recall Reis immediately during the season, should he be required back at the Etihad Stadium.

Reis’ loan will be closely monitored by both City’s coaching staff, and a successful campaign in Spain could accelerate his push towards first-team contention in Manchester, particularly given uncertainty surrounding long-term futures of Manuel Akanji and John Stones.

Should Girona secure a relatively high finish in La Liga and a possible European qualification, Vitor Reis would no doubt gain valuable experience in high-pressure fixtures that Manchester City hope will mirror UEFA Champions League intensity.

Conversely, if injury crises or squad shortages hit the Etihad Stadium later this season, the reported recall clause gives Pep Guardiola flexibility to bring him back into the fold without the delays often associated with mid-season negotiations.