Florentino Perez has reportedly given the green light for Real Madrid to sign 21-year-old Brazilian defender Yan Couto from Manchester United.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Yan Couto is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Merengues are scouring the market for a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal. The 21-year-old Manchester City-owned defender has thus emerged as a target, with Florentino Perez approving the move for the youngster.
Yan Couto and his rise at Girona
Yan Couto has been among the best young players in La Liga since joining Girona on loan from Manchester City in July 2022. The Brazilian defender’s ongoing stint with the Catalan outfit is his second at Estadi Montilivi, having also spent the 2020/21 season on loan with the White and Reds.
The 21-year-old has been with Manchester City for nearly four years, having arrived from Coritiba in July 2020. However, the young full-back has yet to establish a foothold in the first-team squad at the Etihad. Meanwhile, Couto has enjoyed an excellent 2023/24 campaign with Girona, playing his part in the Catalan outfit making a bid for the league title.
The youngster has chipped in with two goals and eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions. However, Couto will return to Manchester City in the summer transfer window before potentially leaving the club for a new challenge. And Real Madrid might be his next destination.
Real Madrid interested
Real Madrid’s interest in Yan Couto is understandable. The Merengues are keen on identifying the best candidate to be the long-term successor to Dani Carvajal. The Manchester City-owned defender has thus emerged as one of the targets, with Florentino Perez approving a move for the 21-year-old full-back.
The youngster is also open to joining Real Madrid, having recently suggested he will be ready to move to the Santiago Bernabeu. However, a deal might have to wait until the 2025 summer transfer window, with Florentino Perez and Real Madrid considering a free transfer.
Other right-backs targets like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James have also become the subject of potential 2025 moves. So, it will be interesting to see who becomes the priority option for Real Madrid to be Carvajal’s long-term successor.
