Club chief ‘immediately took action’ to sign Manchester City man – Watched him since he was 15

Borussia Dortmund chief Sebastien Kehl ‘immediately took action’ when he realised, he could get Yan Couto from Manchester City this summer.

That’s according to SportBILD, who report that the German side had been tracking the Brazilian since he was 15 years old so jumped at the chance to get him this year.

Couto has joined Dortmund on loan from Manchester City, who he returned to earlier this summer after a successful loan spell at Girona.

While initially on loan the deal does include a €25m purchase clause, something the German club will look at activating next year should things go as planned.

SportBILD say they’re certainly excited to finally get the full-back, as he’s a player they’ve kept an eye on since he was 15 years old.

At that time, he was training at a camp for the Brazilian junior national teams and was recommended to the German’s by Sebastien Krug. He’s the man who got them Jude Bellingham, so his opinion is well regarded.

Couto was instead scooped up by Manchester City later in his career and after loan spells at Girona, SC Braga and then Girona again, was back at the Etihad this summer.

He wasn’t a part of Pep Guardiola’s plans and when Sebastien Kehl learned as much, ‘he immediately took action’ to get him.

Two club employees were sent to Brazil to get to know the player and his family and give him a feel for Borussia Dortmund. After almost a week, all parties agreed, and a deal wrapped up with Manchester City.