According to a recent update from Phil Hay of the Athletic, Leeds United could land Brazil’s young star Yan Couto on a season-long loan for the upcoming season. The fullback recently completed a permanent switch to Manchester City. Leeds United were also interested (The Express) in signing him along with Spanish giants Barcelona.
However, the Whites were always going to be second favourites when teams of that stature were competing for Couto’s signature. Manchester City won the transfer battle for him, and now they are willing to send him on a season-long loan at Elland Road next campaign. The Premier League holders reportedly paid €15m for his signature. City are keen to send him to Leeds if the Whites get promoted.
Why might Leeds United be sceptical in signing Couto?
However, Phil Hay adds that Leeds are not actively pursuing that idea at the moment. We believe that maybe because the Whites realise that they would need players with more experience if they get to the English top-flight next season. The club has invested and relied on youth players heavily in the last few campaigns. However, the Premier League would be too big for quite a few of them, and it would be understandable if the Whites decide to go for more proven options in the summer.
Manchester City signed Couto from Brazilian outfit Coritiba FC. Couto has been compared to Dani Alves who changed the right-back game for the future players. Alves is known as one of the best attack-minded fullbacks in the game, and many see Couto having similar potential as him.
Hence, it is understandable why the Citizens paid €15m for the 17-year-old right back. Leeds United do have a decent amount of options at right-back. Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas seem to be the obvious pick for that position. However, Dallas has played as a left-back this campaign.
Maybe Leeds are not keen to get Couto at the moment as they might not be able to give him regular game time which City would want Couto to have. Guardiola clearly sees Marcelo Bielsa as an ideal manager to develop someone like Couto. However, Bielsa would need top and readymade players to survive in the Premier League.
Given his talent, we believe that he could be worth considering. However, maybe Leeds United doesn’t want another Eddie Nketiah kind of situation to develop where the youngster came in and didn’t get many chances in the first team.
