EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal set to pursue summer move for Man City's Yan Couto

Steve Kay

• Updated: 13 May 2024 22:12 BST
• 4 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal have been instructed to seriously consider a summer move for Manchester City youngster Yan Couto by chief scout Paulo Xavier, FootballTransfers can reveal.

The Gunners are hoping to sign additional cover at right-back and it is thought that 21-year-old Couto will be able to provide that.

The Man City defender is currently on loan at LaLiga side Girona and he is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League champions. As things stand, that is unlikely to change in the near future.

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Couto's situation at Man City could prompt Arsenal, who will have a focus on youth development this summer, to heed the advice of Xavier - a former Real Madrid scout and close associate of sporting director Edu Gaspar - and make a move for the versatile youngster.

Three times capped by the Brazil international team, Couto shares a striking resemblance in playing style with Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, a player whom Mikel Arteta has long admired.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that Frimpong was a prime target for Arsenal. However, Leverkusen's recent success in the Bundesliga, coupled with manager Xabi Alonso's decision to stay at the club, suggests that the Netherlands star is more inclined to remain than depart, at least for the upcoming season.

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Yan Couto to Arsenal?

Arsenal, meanwhile, have shown a willingness to play the long game with Couto, who was linked to them as far back as January 2020, when the Gunners were said to be close to securing a deal worth around €5 million.

Barcelona were also interested in him at that point, but he completed a switch to Man City in the summer of 2020 instead.

Four seasons away on loan have since followed, with Couto spending three of these with Man City’s sister club Girona.

Couto has an Estimated Transfer Value of €20.9 million and posts an impressive 10 assists in 33 LaLiga games for Girona this season, as he has shone from an attacking standpoint for the team challenging Barcelona for a second place finish in the Spanish top flight.