Man City splash cash to beat Barcelona to transfer of 'new Dani Alves' Yan Couto

Manchester City are set to sign Brazilian wonder kid Yan Couto after tripling Barcelona's offer.

Couto, who has been dubbed the "new Dani Alves", had to be on the brink of signing for Barca after Coritiba had accepted a £3.36million fee.

The La Liga side had expected to confirm the deal before the end of the January transfer window, before loaning him back to his homeland.

But City have gazumped the Catalan giants by offering £10m, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Arsenal, who wanted him as a long term replacement for Hector Bellerin, and Bayer Leverkusen were also heavily interested in the 17-year-old but were also blown out of the water by Pep Guardiola.

Couto hinted that the move had been confirmed on Thursday by tweeting an emoji of a plane alongside a pair of eyes.

The full back won't arrive in Europe permanently until he turns 18 in the summer.

Couto earned the attention of some of the biggest clubs in the world after his star performances during last year's Under 17 World Cup.

Brazil won the competition on home soil after beating Mexico in the final.

Coritiba coach Eduardo Barroca said about Couto: “I know him very well because I’ve followed the youth teams a lot. Of course, he is a very good player.

“He is a very young player and is already consolidating himself as a top player.

“We are working normally in these early days and expect to count on him in this period that he is here.”

City haven't confirmed any transfers this month, but Guardiola had positive words to say about target Jack Grealish.

"It's a final. Big congratulations to Dean Smith," he started. "Leicester played really well, both deserved to be there. We're going to play Villa and we will try to win. They have one of the best players in the league in Jack Grealish.

"I am a big fan of him. The important thing is to be in the final."