Manchester City’s Vitor Reis could become the latest name to exit the Etihad Stadium this summer, albeit on a temporary agreement with La Liga side Girona.
The 19-year-old Brazilian centre-back arrived from Palmeiras in January for a fee of £29.6 million but has seen his competitive opportunities severely limited, having spent the second half of the 2024/25 season largely training and adapting to life in England.
Despite not appearing in Manchester City’s Academy matches too often either, Reis has impressed behind the scenes — both in training and in tactical sessions — prompting interest from clubs seeking first-team-ready defenders.
Girona, part of the City Football Group, are increasingly known as a strategic development platform for Manchester City’s young and high-ceiling talents. In recent seasons, the Catalan club has benefited from the services of Yan Couto and Savinho in particular, both of whom made major strides under Míchel’s guidance.
The project now continues, with another City Football Group and Manchester City talent — Reis — next in line to develop within La Liga’s competitive environment. With playing time likely to be limited at the Etihad Stadium this season, City officials are eager to find a club that can give Reis regular minutes.
Girona is expected to fit that bill, offering both a high standard of competition in Spanish football and tactical familiarity through shared coaching methodologies within the CFG umbrella.
According to the information of Què T’hi Jugues’ Nil Solà, Girona have prioritised the signing of Vitor Reis on a loan from Manchester City and are ‘optimistic’ about securing the Brazilian centre-back.
With the player viewed as a talent that is ideal for Míchel’s system at the La Liga side, while fulfilling an important role in their team ahead of the forthcoming season, the report also indicated that Reis himself is ‘open’ to the move.
From City’s perspective, a loan to Girona provides a controlled environment for development. The club would retain close oversight over his progress while giving Reis the chance to adapt to European football at a high level — a step seen as vital before he is ready to challenge for a place in Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad.
Should the move be completed, it could also serve as a precursor to Girona making similar pushes for other young Manchester City talents throughout the window. Claudio Echeverri, for instance, remains another candidate for a possible loan within the CFG network, while the future of Oscar Bobb and Nico O’Reilly could yet similarly be placed under assessment.
Manchester City will monitor Reis’ loan experience closely with an eye on a potential long-term pathway into their senior group — particularly if veteran options such as John Stones or Manuel Akanji depart in future windows.
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