Manchester City defender rejects move to Premier League rivals with deal close to completion | OneFootball

One of Manchester City’s Premier League rivals have received a firm rejection from Brazil international Yan Couto over a move within the top-flight this summer.

The Brazilian international returned to an association with the Premier League champions this summer following another excellent developmental loan spell away from the club in the European game.

Yan Couto’s season-long spell with Girona brought about several further steps in his own career, contributing to a top-level finish in La Liga and securing a place in the UEFA Champions League for next season for the club.

In addition, the former Coritiba prospect broke into the senior Brazil men’s international team, further emphasising his growing reputation in the game, and the belief that he has an excellent career at the top of the sport ahead of him.

However, that future is unlikely to be with Manchester City, and the ongoing summer market has seen the player linked with a number of moves away from the club, including to within the English top-flight.

According to the information of Sport BILD, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Premier League club Tottenham were ‘vying’ for Manchester City’s Yan Couto, but found themselves rejected by the Brazil international.

It is explained that the 22-year-old only wants to join Borussia Dortmund, knowing that there is an opportunity for him to establish himself, with the Bundesliga club ‘understaffed’ in his position of right-back.

As per reliable reports elsewhere, Couto is highly likely to get that move, with Manchester City and Dortmund agreeing on a deal understood to be worth a financial package in the region of €25 million, with some suggesting that the agreement is a loan with obligation to buy.

There had been some hope amongst a portion of Manchester City fans that the club would view Yan Couto as a potential successor to Kyle Walker within Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad and the soon to become available right-back berth.

However, ahead of the upcoming season, it appears as though Guardiola and his coaching staff will remain content with the options available, utilising Kyle Walker as the go-to option for a traditional right-back, with support from Rico Lewis.

The likes of Manuel Akanji and John Stones have also shown capability to perform in the right-back position in recent seasons, whilst also inverting to operate alongside Rodrigo in defensive midfield when Manchester City are in possession of the ball.