Manchester City defender Yan Couto has been deemed a ‘practically impossible’ signing for Girona this summer, even if the various parties would like it to happen.
That’s according to AS, who say the rules preventing Girona and Manchester City from doing transfer deals has made a return to the Spanish side almost impossible to get done.
Couto had been on loan with Girona since 2022, moving from Manchester City on a temporary basis two years ago thanks to the relationship they have via their shared ownership model.
He joined Manchester City in a €6m deal in July 2020 but has spent the years in between out on loan, first at Girona, then Braga in Portugal before returning to Girona in 2022.
Last season was his best one yet as he shone in the team that took La Liga by storm under Michel and qualified for the Champions League.
They’d like him back and he is one of the ‘great desires’ at the club and for the coaching staff but it is ‘practically impossible’ for that to happen according to AS.
They say that because the player is owned by Manchester City, UEFA regulations have made another loan deal impossible as they’ll be competing alongside Girona in the Champions League next season.
One caveat is that if such an agreement has been signed, and was done so before June 30th, then it would not breach UEFA regulations, but nobody has suggested that has happened as yet.
A permanent transfer is also not on the cards as Girona could not afford it and, if he is put up for sale, there will be more financially powerful clubs than them in the mix thanks to his performances last season and his growing status with Brazil. It’s left him stuck and waiting to see what happens.
In the meantime, he’s been staying in contact with his former club, recently commenting on an Instagram post by manager Michel regarding the start of pre-season training.
The Spanish boss responded to this with a comment of “we are waiting for you”, hinting at something being in the pipeline and creating a bit of a stir.
The reality, though, is that unless a deal has already been agreed some time ago, no amount of social media flirting will be getting him back to Girona this summer.
