Vitor Reis completes €35m transfer to Man City from Palmeiras as Pep Guardiola lands second major defensive target amid faltering Premier League title defence

Manchester City's defensive woes have been hurting Pep Guardiola's tactical setup this season as the reigning Premier League champions are currently fifth in the standings with just 11 wins in 20 games having already shipped 29 goals. City announced the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens on Monday, and now Reis' arrival at Etihad Stadium has also been confirmed, with the Brazilian signing a four-and-a-half year contract as Guardiola continues to reinforce his shaky backline.

Reis said at his official unveiling: “I’m excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world. Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons, and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies. Working with Pep Guardiola is something every young player wants to do, and I know he can help me to develop into the best player I can be. City also have a lot of experience of working with Brazilian footballers and joining the likes of Ederson and Savinho in the squad will be a big help to me.”

City's director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Vitor Reis is one of the most promising young defenders in the world and we’re delighted to been able to bring him here. In his short time in senior football in Brazil, he has shown he has the ability to go very far in the game and we know that working with Pep and our coaches will help to get the best out of him. He is excellent on the ball and outstanding in the air – he has all the attributes needed to be one of the best. Vitor is very young, but his quality is so high that we believe he can help us now and for a long time into the future.”

Reis, who has been billed as the 'new Marquinhos', has officially surpassed Lucas Beraldo as the most expensive Brazilian defender in history. Paris Saint-Germain paid €20 million (£16.8m/$20.5m) to acquire Beraldo from Sao Paulo in 2024.

The Brazilian is unlikely to be in Guardiola's squad for City's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek. However, Reis could make his debut for the club in a huge Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday.