Yan Couto, soon to be a Manchester City player, has been interviewed by Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte this week.
The 17-year-old, who still belongs to Coritiba, is waiting until he turns 18 so he can complete the move to the Premier League side.
The right-back has already been in England, when he sorted the move out in February, and talked a little about his first meeting with Manchester City players Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus and Ederson.
“I had breakfast with the three of them, they welcomed me very well, they gave me attention, they make jokes,” Yan Couto told Globo Esporte.
“I had a closer relationship with Fernandinho. Last year, I already had dinner with him. When I went in February, I had dinner again, even with his family. But the three are good people. I hope that we stay close and that I can get closer to the group. They will definitely help me with this.”
Besides getting to know his new teammates, the player says he’s already met Pep Guardiola, even though he’s not certain about when he’ll officially join the club.
“When I went in February, I already had a conversation with Guardiola and the directors as well. They wished me welcome and good luck too. It’s a very special moment for me, the realisation of a dream. Of course, I haven’t really introduced myself to the club yet. I’ve been talking to the City representative in Brazil. He informs me, but, for now, he has no date of presentation.”
Yan Couto was supposed to keep playing for Coritiba until the middle of the year, but football in Brazil has also stopped due to the Coronavirus crisis. Now the player doesn’t know if he’ll get the chance to have a farewell match for his club.
“I hope to make my last match for Coxa. I will miss the club a lot, a club I love, the fans welcomed me very well, the club too. I can only thank them. I hope to be able to play my last game and say goodbye for a while.”
Globo Esporte writes that Manchester City spent an initial amount of €6m to sign Yan Couto, and there’s another €6m depending on performance bonuses.
