WHAT HAPPENED?
Couto has been one of the stars of Girona’s remarkable season, notching eight assists and scoring once to help the Catalans qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history. And GOAL has learned that the full-back has attracted attention from a number of European clubs ahead of a potential move away from City this summer.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are interested in Couto as a potential replacement to their right-back Jeremie Frimpong in the event the Dutchman leaves the club. Serie A giants Juventus have also taken a keen interest in the 21-year-old, as have a number of Premier League clubs. City admire the right-back but are currently unable to offer him assurances of first-team football at the Etihad Stadium, where Kyle Walker remains Pep Guardiola’s first-choice right-back.
DID YOU KNOW?
City have not put a price tag on Couto although it is thought he could garner a fee of around £40 million ($50m) after his sensational performances for Girona, which led to him being called into the Brazil squad for the first time last year. Tottenham paid £40m to sign Pedro Porro, another former City player, from Sporting CP in January 2023.
Couto has four games left of the season with Girona, who pulled off a stunning 4-2 win over Barcelona last week to secure Champions League football, subject to approval from UEFA. He will then hope to be called into the Brazil squad for the Copa America, which is being held in the United States over the summer.