Yan Couto is shortly expected to become the third Manchester City player to sign for Girona on loan for the season.
Goalkeeper Aro Muric and forward Pablo Moreno are already there training with their new teammates, with their moves confirmed on Friday evening as Couto was getting on a flight from his native Brazil to join up with them.
The decision to send Couto on loan has been met with a mixed reaction from supporters. Part of that is down to the more general frustrations around the transfer window following the Lionel Messi distraction and the lack of progress in signing another centre-back, but there are also concerns about the message being sent to a player who they paid a considerable sum for in a deal that could be worth more than £10m.
City tracked Couto for years before signing him and put a lot of effort into convincing the 18-year-old right-back to sign for them instead of Barcelona - who thought they had a deal wrapped up - with the influence of Pep Guardiola, Fernandinho and other first-team members important in assuring him he would be part of the first-team picture.
Staying at the Etihad this season wasn't ruled out as a possibility, but realistically a loan this year was always on the cards and both the player and those close to him knew that when he signed. Despite his impressive performances in Brazil's youth set-up, the teenager has very little professional football experience and right-back is an area that the Blues are more well-stocked in than most.
If it is unfortunate for Couto that the pandemic both delayed his arrival in Manchester and meant there was no pre-season tour to impress on, Girona should be challenging enough for the youngster to show what he is capable of.
At their Spanish sister club, as with Muric and Moreno, City feel both the standard of football and the environment is there for players to make an impression that could lead to them moving into Guardiola's squad in future seasons.
