Borussia Dortmund reportedly to target Manchester City's Yan Couto

Borussia Dortmund's search for a fullback has taken quite a few twists and turns after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season. The goal at the conclusion of this past campaign was to keep hold of Ian Maatsen after the Dutchman performed superbly during his loan spell in black and yellow.

This was not meant to be it would seem, as the player has since become a player of Aston Villa after Dortmund were unable to pay Chelsea their delineated sum for the move to come to fruition. The focus then shifted to Ferdi Kadioglu, who had been long admired by new head coach Nuri Şahin. After the player's performances for Turkey at the Euros this summer, he too has become far too expensive for the club to target, which has meant that the club was sent back to the drawing board.

Sven Mislintat, Lars Ricken and Sebastian Kehl have been no slouches however, with the club now seemingly looking to target Brazilian international and Manchester City player Yan Couto. Couto is coming off an exemplary campaign at Girona this past season, where his one goal and eight assists helped the club reach third in La Liga.

Couto fits the bill for the type of player Dortmund would be looking for to replace the outgoing Maatsen, with the main difference being that he would be predominantly playing on the right. He is similar in his forward-thinking and creative nature, however, and excels in terms of his progressive carries (6.05), successful take-ons (1.92) and progressive passes received (9.62) per 90. His defensive numbers are surely below those of Maatsen's, whose biggest asset was his ability to contribute both in an attacking and defensive sense, but the difference in profile could still make Couto a worthy addition.

So far from what we can see, Dortmund seems to be going with Ramy Bensebaini and Tom Rothe at left back, with Julian Ryerson the only player who can feature on the right. The possible addition of Couto could add some tactical flexibility for Sahin in the sense that in games where he feels either Rothe or Bensebaini aren't cutting it, he could shift Ryerson to the left (where he's been completely proficient in previous appearances) and bring Couto in on the right.

Dortmund is said to be looking to spend around 25 million euros on the transfer and from reports so far, it seems that the player could indeed see this move being an option for him. It's clear that the player won't be first choice at Manchester City, but perhaps a move to the Bundesliga could help further his development and provide Dortmund with a fullback, which is a position that the club desperately needs depth in, especially on the right side after the mass exodus of players in the last 6 months.