Olympique de Marseille and FC Porto are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City defender Yan Couto this summer.
According to Brazilian publication UOL, Manchester City full-back Yan Couto has emerged as a target for French giants Olympique de Marseille and Portuguese champions FC Porto in the ongoing transfer window.
Couto came through the youth ranks at Brazilian club Coritiba before signing for Manchester City in the summer of 2020. Upon arrival, the 20-year-old was immediately loaned out to Girona, where he had an impressive campaign, finishing with two goals and five assists from 30 games in all competitions.
Couto was then loaned out to Portuguese side SC Braga for the 2021/22 campaign. The Brazilian enjoyed a solid season there as well, finishing with a goal and four assists in 42 games, which has enhanced his reputation not only in Portugal but across the continent.
Now back at Manchester City, Couto is unlikely to find a place in manager Pep Guardiola’s squad. As things stand, the Premier League champions have Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo as their options in the right-back position, leaving no room for Couto to gain any meaningful first-team minutes if he stays at the Etihad Stadium.
Couto, whose contract with Manchester City runs until 2025, could be poised for another loan spell or a permanent transfer. And as per UOL, Marseille and FC Porto have shown an interest in signing the 20-year-old Brazilian talent.
Marseille will be participating in the UEFA Champions League in the upcoming campaign after finishing as runners-up in Ligue 1 last season. And they are looking to strengthen their roster so that they can put up a fight in the continental competition while targeting another top-four finish in the league.
A new right-back to compete with Pol Lirola is being targeted by manager Igor Tudor. Marseille have already had an offer rejected for Jonathan Clauss, although they remain in conversations with RC Lens over a move. At the same time, though, they are keeping their options open, with Couto emerging as a target.
As for FC Porto, they already have multiple options in the right-back slot in the form of Wilson Manafa and Joao Mario. However, the former’s contract expires next year, which could prompt the reigning champions of Portugal to part with him this summer, opening the door for the arrival of a new right-back. Such a scenario would make Couto a viable target for Porto.
The report does not provide clarity over whether Marseille and Porto want to sign the Manchester City starlet on loan or permanently. But an exit from the Etihad is certainly on the cards for Couto, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up this summer.
