Girona secure defender and target Manchester City winger

After more than a year of regulatory limitations, Manchester City and Girona are once again free to conduct transfer business with one another.

UEFA’s decision to lift the restrictions that previously blocked direct deals between the two clubs both of which are part of the City Football Group (CFG) has opened the door for a flurry of activity as Girona look to strengthen their squad ahead of another ambitious La Liga campaign.

The restrictions stemmed from both clubs qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last season, which raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest given their shared ownership under CFG. To preserve competitive integrity, UEFA ruled that no direct transfers could take place between them while they were both competing in the same European competition. As a result, Manchester City and Girona were barred from doing business over the course of three consecutive transfer windows a significant pause in what had previously been a productive and mutually beneficial pipeline.

With the suspension now lifted following the end of the 2024/25 season, the flow of talent between the English and Spanish outfits has resumed almost immediately. Girona, who impressed many with their performances last season under Míchel, are wasting no time in reinforcing their squad, once again taking full advantage of their relationship with one of the most resourceful and talent-rich clubs in world football.

The first piece of business to be completed post-restriction was the signing of Portuguese defender Vitor Reis. The 19-year-old centre-back, a promising talent from City’s youth ranks, has officially joined Girona and is expected to be integrated into the first-team setup straight away. Known for his composure on the ball, aerial ability, and tactical maturity beyond his years, Reis is seen as a long-term project but could be called upon sooner rather than later depending on Girona’s defensive depth heading into the season.

His signing follows the success of previous collaborations between the two clubs, most notably the impactful loan spells of Brazilian duo Savinho and Yan Couto. Both players became key figures in Girona’s impressive 2023/24 campaign, with Savinho contributing flair and goals from the wing and Yan Couto adding dynamism and reliability at right-back. Their development in Spain not only helped Girona achieve historic results but also increased the players' value and readiness for future roles within CFG’s network, potentially even at Manchester City or elsewhere in the group.

Encouraged by those outcomes, Girona are now actively targeting further reinforcements from the Etihad Campus. One of their main targets is Argentine winger Claudio Echeverri, who joined Manchester City from River Plate in a high-profile move earlier this year. Touted as one of South America’s most exciting young prospects, the 19-year-old has yet to make his breakthrough at City and could benefit from regular minutes in La Liga, in a system that favours technical, attack-minded players like him. Girona believe a loan move would benefit all parties giving Echeverri vital European experience, while providing the team with a creative spark in wide areas.

In addition to Echeverri, Girona are also monitoring the situation of Norwegian midfielder Sverre Nypan. Just 18 years old, Nypan is another young gem signed by Manchester City with an eye on the future. The central midfielder is known for his intelligence, passing range, and versatility traits that would fit well in Míchel’s high-tempo, possession-oriented setup. Though not yet part of City’s immediate first-team plans, Nypan is widely viewed as one of Norway’s top emerging talents, and Girona are hoping to offer him a platform for accelerated development.

While Girona’s strategy has attracted some scrutiny for its reliance on players from within the CFG structure, it is undeniably effective. The club’s competitive rise in La Liga and qualification for Europe last season were in no small part due to the influx of elite young talent that would likely have been out of reach without their connection to Manchester City. At the same time, it offers Manchester City a unique developmental pipeline for academy players and emerging prospects one that provides consistent top-flight football in a tactical environment aligned with the philosophies of Pep Guardiola and the broader CFG model.

The lifting of UEFA’s restrictions marks a return to normalcy for the two clubs and reopens one of European football’s most intriguing internal talent pathways. For Girona, the renewed access to Manchester City’s depth chart is a potential game-changer as they prepare to compete domestically and in Europe. For Manchester City, it’s an opportunity to continue testing and refining the next generation of stars under real pressure, in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

As the summer transfer window unfolds, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more names added to the growing list of players making the journey from Manchester to Catalonia not as a step down, but as a carefully calculated step forward in their professional growth. Girona, meanwhile, continue to evolve from an underdog to a model club in the CFG ecosystem one that now moves with ambition, direction, and the full support of one of football’s most powerful ownership groups.