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Manchester City have high hopes for a young centre-back learning his craft at Girona

Originally posted on Esteemed Kompany | By Adam Marrett | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 11:36 AM ET

Vitor Reis has become a regular first-team player at Girona this season. Manchester City sent the young centre-back out on loan this season to accelerate his development. The opportunities for Reis to play at City would have been limited if he stayed at the club this season, given the players he’d have to contend with for a spot in Manchester City’s defence. A new report indicates that City have high hopes for Vitor Reis. While Girona are struggling in La Liga this season, Vitor Reis is playing regularly and City are keeping a close eye on his performances.

Manchester City have high hopes for the player that Vitor Reis could become.

ESPN Brasil has reported that Manchester City are keeping a close eye on how Vitor Reis performs for Girona this season. Furthermore, the ESPN Brasil report states that City review the progress of Vitor Reis every five matches. This way, they can keep a keen eye on how the young centre-back is tracking. The ESPN report states that Vitor Reis is seen as the future of Manchester City’s defence. The hope is that by playing in La Liga this season, Vitor Reis will return to City ready to be a member of the Manchester City first-team next season.

As per the ESPN Brasil report, Vitor Reis’ performances have caught the attention of Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti. It is reported that Reis’s entourage believes that the young centre-back is on the verge of a national team call-up. They also believe that there is a chance that Vitor Reis could be a chance of making Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Vitor Reis was a signing made for the future by City, and he is developing nicely in Spain.

When Vitor Reis was signed by Manchester City from Palmeiras in January, it was clear that he was a signing made for the future. He arrived at City as a highly touted young centre-back. But the young defender needs time to develop as a player. The expectation with the majority of signings City make is that they can come in and contribute at City straight away. This isn’t a realistic expectation. Players like Vitor Reis, Claudio Echeverri and Juma Bah need time to develop. Going out on loan is the best move for each of them.

In the case of Vitor Reis, the ESPN Brasil report is good news. Although Girona are struggling, Vitor Reis has impressed in Spain. Playing regular first-team football in La Liga is accelerating his development. Although it did appear like playing in a struggling Girona side may be the wrong move for Reis, it is turning out to be the right move for him. If he can maintain his impressive form, City will get a quality defender back once Reis returns to the club.

Vitor Reis is the future of Manchester City’s defence. He has all of the makings of the prototypical City centre-back. Manchester City are keeping close tabs on his development, and if his good form and development continue, he figures to be a prominent player for City from next season.

This article first appeared on Esteemed Kompany and was syndicated with permission.

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