Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus eyeing Man City’s Couto – source

Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus are leading the race to sign Manchester City defender Yan Couto this summer, a source has told ESPN.

Couto has impressed on loan at Girona this season with his form earning a first call-up to the Brazil national team.

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The 21-year-old is highly rated at City, but there is an acceptance that regular first-team football elsewhere would be more beneficial than staying on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s squad at the Etihad Stadium.

Bundesliga champions Leverkusen have already registered their interest as they monitor potential replacements for Jeremie Frimpong, who is a target for Manchester United.

City have also fielded enquiries from Serie A side Juventus and a number of Premier League clubs.

Couto has played a key role in helping Girona qualify for the Champions League, playing 32 games in LaLiga. He made his senior international debut for Brazil in October and has been capped three times.

Couto is expected to command a fee of between £30 million ($37.6m) and £40m if he moves, although a return to Girona has not been ruled out.

Meanwhile, sources have told ESPN that City will not accept a reduced fee for Bernardo Silva this summer and will only let the midfielder leave if the £50m release clause in his contract is met.

Barcelona do not have the funds to pursue the Portugal international, but he remains a target for Paris Saint-Germain. Silva signed a new contract at City last summer which included a release clause valid from this summer.

The 29-year-old’s deal runs until 2026 but a source has told ESPN that he is keen to take on a new challenge after seven years at the Etihad Stadium.