La Liga star defender talks about rejecting Barcelona for Manchester City in 2020

December 17, 2023 Trending News

Yan Couto has been one of the standout performers in Girona’s success story this season.

A product of the Coritiba youth academy, the right-back has become a first-team regular for Michel’s men, offering width on the flanks and playing a key role in the club’s dream run this season.

However, things could have panned out very differently for young Couto, who was courted by Barcelona not more than a few years ago.

Couto explains decision to join Man City

Before he moved to Manchester City, Yan Couto used to ply his trade for Coritiba. During his time in Brazil, Barcelona were one of the clubs that were interested in his services.

Couto himself was aware of the interest from Barcelona, as he confirmed in a recent interaction. But the defender also explained why he rejected a move to Camp Nou.

“After I became champion with Brazil U17, I was sure that I was going to sign for Barça. Then Guardiola called me and things changed,” Couto revealed (h/t Catalunya Radio).

Couto was close to joining Barcelona (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The right-back indeed joined Manchester City in the summer of 2020, with the Premier League giants coughing up a fee of around €6 million for his services.

Couto’s journey since Eithad move

Couto joined Manchester City with the hope of becoming a first-team regular for Pep Guardiola’s men sometime in the future.

Shortly after his move to Etihad, the youngster was shipped to sister club Girona on a loan deal. Safe to say, his second stint at Girona has been much more successful.

Since returning to Catalonia on a season-long loan deal, Couto has featured in 15 league matches for Girona this season. His performances have been vital in helping the Catalan outfit compete with Real Madrid for the league title.

Couto’s loan spell at Girona, though, expires at the end of the season – potentially serving as an opportunity for a club like Barcelona to go after him next summer.


Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/la-liga-star-defender-talks-about-rejecting-barcelona-for-manchester-city-in-2020/

Author : Connell Edgar-Jones

Publish date : 2023-12-17 19:00:23

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