Vitor Reis is set to join Girona on a loan deal after making an underwhelming start to life at Manchester City.
Reis joined City in January on a four-and-a-half-year deal but has struggled to gain minutes due to a lack of experience, having joined from Brazilian side Palmeiras.
And although City are short on defensive options ahead of the 2025-26 season, he is expected to join sister-club Girona, who are a part of the same ownership group, the City Football Group (CFG), as the Manchester club.
Sources revealed that the deal will include a clause whereby City can trigger a return at any point during the loan.
It’s not the first time that business has been done between City and Girona, either. Savinho joined Pep Guardiola’s side last summer in a deal worth around £30m after picking up some credible performance for Troyes – who are also a part of the CFG. Former City full-back Yan Couto also played for Girona.
Reis, 19, penned a deal at City worth £29.5m and has since made four appearances for the club, of which none have come in the Premier League.
The defender produced an impressive cameo in City’s opening game of the Club World Cup, a 2-0 win against Wydad Casablanca, but is believed to not be in Guardiola's plans ahead of an important season.
City lost out on their fifth consecutive Premier League title last season despite making a strong start. But since Ballon d’Or winner Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in September, City’s season and potential for success went crashing down.
After losing to Real Madrid in February and subsequently being knocked out of the Champions League, how much longer Guardiola would be at City came under speculation.
However, the Catalan extended his deal in November for a further two years until 2027 – which will indefinitely be two important years for him and the club as they look to win yet another English top-flight title, and perhaps more.