Fresh reporting from Brazil has offered the clearest indication yet of how Manchester City intend to shape their defensive future.
It appears Vitor Reis‘ return to City is positioned firmly at the centre of those plans. The teenager, currently on loan at Girona, has been monitored closely by the Sky Blues ever since his arrival from Palmeiras in January.
New details now point towards a defined long-term pathway back to the Etihad Stadium.
City’s belief in the 19-year-old was evident from the moment they agreed a £29.6 million fee, a significant outlay for a player with limited senior football at the time.
His introduction was handled with typical caution: controlled minutes in the FA Cup, a short Premier League cameo, and then a carefully chosen loan that would expose him to regular top-flight football in one of Europe’s most technically demanding leagues.
Those familiar with City’s internal planning have long suggested that Reis is earmarked for a prominent role within the next cycle of defensive reshaping.
That view has only strengthened as the club consider the long-term futures of several senior figures, including John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.
Stones, whose influence under Pep Guardiola has been substantial, has repeatedly expressed his commitment to remaining at the Etihad, but concerns around recurring injuries and tactical evolution have naturally led to external speculation about what City may choose to do in the coming seasons.
Meanwhile, City’s strategy is believed to be more proactive, aiming to build depth and competition rather than tie the development of a key prospect to the uncertainty of another player’s future.
The latest update comes from journalist Bruno Andrade, reporting with ESPN Brasil, whose information – shared via Sport Witness.
He states clearly that Vitor Reis’ return to City does not depend on John Stones leaving or renewing his contract with the club.
From the perspective of decision-makers inside the Etihad, the club already regard the Brazilian defender as a locked-in element of their squad for the 2026/27 season, suggesting a long-term plan that predates any short-term contract discussions with senior players.
This aligns with City’s broader approach in recent years: identify young, ball-playing defenders capable of fitting Guardiola’s system, allow them to grow within the City Football Group, and then reintegrate them at a point where squad evolution naturally opens space.
It is the blueprint that shaped the development of several players before him – and Reis appears next in line for similar treatment.
The teenager’s contract with City runs until the summer of 2029, reflecting the club’s view of him as a project worth significant investment and patience.
His ongoing season at Girona – a side whose footballing principles mirror many of City’s own – is designed to confront him with the technical and tactical challenges that will be required at Premier League level.
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Those within the club believe his trajectory is exactly where they hoped it would be at this stage.
The confidence around Reis is further highlighted by the club’s stance during the previous transfer window.
Reports earlier this year revealed that Manchester City rejected interest from Bayern Munich and FC Porto, refusing even to consider proposals for a permanent transfer or another loan.
Their unwillingness to negotiate underscores a level of conviction uncommon for a teenager yet to establish himself in England.
Beyond Vitor Reis’ return to City, his reputation is growing rapidly within Brazil’s national team structure.
Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff have been reportedly monitoring his progress closely, a development seen as further proof of his rising stock.
If his performances at Girona continue to strengthen his case, a senior Brazil call-up may become more than just a possibility.
