Manchester City defender signs secret one-year contract extension amid Real Madrid transfer approach

Manchester City loanee Yan Couto has secretly extended his contract at the Etihad Stadium, according to Brazil.

The 22-year-old, who has never made a first-team appearance for Manchester City, has been at the Etihad Stadium since 2020 when the Brazilian defender moved to east Manchester from Coritiba FC on an initial five-year deal aged 17 years.

Couto spent the 2023/24 season at City Football Group side Girona FC in La Liga, with the defender enjoying his third loan spell at the Catalan club following previous loan spells in the 2020/21 and 2022/23 campaigns.

The defender made 39 appearances and was directly involved in 12 goals for Girona this season as the Spanish side secured UEFA Champions League football and finished ahead of Atletico Madrid.

The defender’s impressive performances have attracted notable transfer interest, with Real Madrid being linked with a potential permanent move for the Brazil international, who would command a price tag of €40m.

Couto may also be allowed to complete a permanent exit from the Etihad Stadium directly to Girona, although any transfer between the two clubs would be subject to a fair market value (FMV) assessment.

Couto reportedly signed a one-year extension earlier in the season, but the news only broke ahead of the defender competing in the Copa America, which takes place in the United States in June and July.

Couto confirmed the contract extension, saying: “I had a very good season at Girona. Now that my loan is over I’m looking at what to do for the future but I’m with Man City. I have a contract with them until 2026, I will talk to them this summer.”

The defender is “unlikely” to be used at Manchester City next season, with the Sky Blues having Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji and John Stones as options at right-back.

Despite not making any appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, Couto was a substitute used at Wembley Stadium in the 2021 FA Community Shield against Leicester City.