- Vitor Reis on loan at Girona
- Season-long deal ends soon
- Defender keen on City return
Vitor Reis has revealed his plans for next season, after a strong campaign on loan in La Liga.
Girona are currently 11th in the Spanish top flight, with European football next season not yet out of the question.
Vitor Reis has been a key contributor to the club’s efforts, appearing 29 times in the league and twice in the Copa Del Rey.
The defender is clearly doing well, as he recently received his first international call-up with Brazil. Reis was named on the bench at the start of the month when his national team drew 0-0 with Croatia.
Vitor Reis wants to play for Man City next season
Reis’ is developing well at Girona and he believes he is ready to challenge at Man City next season, despite Pep Guardiola having a wealth of defensive options.
The 20-year-old has even revealed his shock at being loaned out last summer, although he now believes this was the right move for his career.
“My intention, my desire, is to return to Manchester City, to play and have space. But, as I always say, I will focus on the day-to-day, on this end of the season, so that when the moment for that conversation comes, we can sit down calmly, with a clear mind,” Reis told Globo Esporte.
“When I found out they were thinking about loaning me, I was a bit shocked, because it wasn’t something that crossed my mind.
“But after I understood it better and spoke to several people, I realised it would be good for me, especially for minutes, for playing more games. At my age, I need to play,” he continued.
“So I think it was a very important decision, 100% correct, to come here. Here at Girona I am very happy. The people are incredible, and I believe it was a very good choice.”
Reis has been in contact with Man City
With Girona being part of the City Football Group, Reis has been able to remain in touch with figures at Man City, including sporting director Hugo Viana.
This is very important for the centre-back, as it has allowed him to understand the ways in which his parent club are monitoring his progress.
“I keep in touch with the City director [Hugo Viana],” Reis said. “I talk a lot with the City Group staff, they are often here in Girona as well.
“For me it is very important to have that contact, that care from them, and I am very happy they are close, always trying to see and understand everything that is happening here.”
On becoming a member of Man City’s squad, he added: “City was also a very beautiful story in my life. When I arrived there, it was kind of a reality check, just like it was with the national team.
“You arrive and see the players around you. I remember seeing my name next to guys like Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and that made me very happy.
“It is a club that always tries to get the maximum out of players, and that helped me a lot. I learned many things with Pep, who is a surreal guy in terms of mentality and understanding of the game.”
City have a congested defence
Even with John Stones and Nathan Ake likely to be heading off in the summer, Pep Guardiola still has plenty of strong options at centre-back.
Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi are doing a stellar job, while Ruben Dias will be eager to reclaim his first-team spot once he returns from injury.
In addition to these players, Josko Gvardiol is set to return in May from a much longer spell on the sidelines.
Therefore it will be difficult for Reis to be integrated into the first-team, at least for now. Another loan could be on the cards, but there is also the more likely option that Reis will remain at the Etihad Stadium and start in cup matches.
