Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola this week brings an interesting piece on his Yahoo Blog about Manchester City’s signing of fullback Yan Couto.
The report claims that Brazilian League and Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo were also keen on the teenager, willing to pay his release clause, but the Premier League side have spoiled their plans.
Since Yan Couto used to have a salary of only R$4k (£600) per month at Coritiba, his release clause would be R$8m (£1.2m), and that’s what Flamengo planned to pay. However, Manchester City have shown up saying they could afford a lot more, closing a deal for €12m.
“Flamengo would not spend more than €1.4m,” agent Marcelo Robalinho told Jorge Nicola.
Nicola writes that the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich were interested in the fullback as well, but it was Manchester City’s project which attracted him to sign for the club.
“We chose to close with Manchester City because of the European project. And the prospect of playing with Guardiola. He’s going to stay on the first team.”
The agent has also claimed he hasn’t been paid for intermediating the deal with Coritiba, and may have to take legal action in case he really wants to see this money.
“The president of Coritiba suggested that I go to court, because he wouldn’t pay. The amount is too big.”
