Borussia Dortmund right-back Yan Couto is set to join Serie A side Como on a season-long loan after the two clubs achieved a major breakthrough, according to transfer experts Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto.
A 'broad' agreement has been reportedly reached for the Brazilian with Dortmund and Como now working to finalize the conditions. The Serie A side, which finished fourth in the Italian top-flight last term, will have the option to buy him permanently next year.
Couto looked set to join Como earlier on in the summer although the rumors fizzled out after negotiations ran into a stonewall over financial details of the move. But the player remained open to a transfer and now after rapid developments, he's set to join Cesc Fabregas' side.
Neither side has revealed the key details of the loan yet although that's expected to come to the fore once the transfer is finalized in the coming days. But what does it mean for Yan Couto and Borussia Dortmund? Let's have a look:
Yan Couto has a breather
Initially joining from Manchester City on loan, Borussia Dortmund signed Yan Couto on a permanent transfer worth €25 million last summer after triggering the clause. However, the player failed to prove his worth, making only 13 starts for the BVB in all competitions during the 2025-26 season as Julian Ryerson had cemented his place as Niko Kovac's preferred right-back.
As the Norwegian is likely to continue in the starting XI, Couto's future remained uncertain as the 24-year-old would have been left facing the same prospect of playing second fiddle to Ryerson again this season despite playing in every preseason game so far. But as a move to Como now nears, he will have a much-needed reprieve with Fabregas likely to give him a place in his starting XI.
Dortmund have an internal replacement
As for Borussia Dortmund, the club seemingly has an internal replacement with head coach Niko Kovac to play Maximilian Beier in that position, or on the right side of the midfield as an inverted wing-back, as he did in the pre-season match against FC Tokyo on Saturday.
The manager himself had spoken about this change of position this week and Kovac tested it out in their last fixture. He may as well play the German winger in that role more often this season as the club looks unwilling to spend on a fresh replacement for Couto.
Add us as a preferred source on Google