Vitor Reis subject to transfer interest from La Liga as Manchester City weigh up decision | OneFootball

Manchester City are currently weighing up the best solution for highly-rated central defender Vitor Reis ahead of the new season, amid interest from Spain.

The 19-year-old Brazilian, signed from Palmeiras for £29.6 million in January, is considered one of City’s most exciting long-term defensive prospects, training with the first team throughout the course of his time with the club thus far and featuring sporadically across cup competitions.

With pre-season set to get underway early next week, the club are now assessing how best to facilitate his development, whether through further integration in Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad or via a tailored loan opportunity.

Reis arrives at a time when Manchester City’s central defensive depth is both a strength and complication, with the likes of Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol all competing for minutes meaning opportunities for a teenage centre-back are likely to be extremely limited.

That congestion has led the club to evaluate external development pathways, and with sister clubs across the City Football Group, viable destinations with shared tactical principles are always in view.

One of those is now believed to be Girona, who have emerged as a key CFG partner for nurturing young talent at the highest level, with primary examples of recent seasons including Yan Couto and Savinho.

According to the information of TEAMtalk’s Rudy Galletti, the La Liga side are now showing transfer interest in Manchester City’s highly-rated central defender Vitor Reis in the weeks that remain in the ongoing summer market.

It is claimed that the Catalan side are ready to move for the 19-year-old and are planning a loan deal where they would guarantee starting minutes and regular game time for Reis – terms that may be unavailable at the Etihad Stadium for now.

However, it is stressed that neither Pep Guardiola nor City have made a final decision on the teenager’s future, while some within the Etihad Stadium believe keeping him in the first team could help him improve.

Reis’ development is considered a key part of City’s long-term defensive planning amid question marks around the future of Manuel Akanji and concerns over the long-term fitness of John Stones.

Yet the promise of regular top-flight minutes at a club like Girona presents a compelling case. Should City approve the loan, it is expected that the deal would include strict guarantees over game time and positional usage, reflecting the importance of maintaining Reis’ growth.

A decision is expected to be made before the close of pre-season, with the club keen to ensure clarity over the teenager’s short-term pathway. Whether he remains at the Etihad or embarks on a new chapter in La Liga, Vitor Reis is expected to play a prominent role in Manchester City’s plans over the coming years.