Manchester City are still waiting to confirm their new manager, but one subplot already generating interest is the return of centre-back Vitor Reis following a season-long loan at La Liga club Girona. The 20-year-old Brazilian arrived at Girona as a relative unknown and leaves having earned a reputation as one of their finest defenders in recent years — even as the club suffered relegation on the final day of the season.

A difficult debut, then a breakthrough

City paid £29.6 million to sign Reis from Palmeiras in January 2025, at the same time as bringing in Abdukodir Khusanov. While Khusanov established himself as a first-team regular at the Etihad Stadium, Reis managed only four appearances before being sent out on loan to build experience.

His spell in Spain began awkwardly — he was sent off in his fifth match against Levante in September — and the adaptation to a new country and new teammates took time. However, Girona commentator Miquel Agut Riera tells BBC Sport that Reis found his footing by late November and steadily became a player manager Michel could depend on.