Vitor Reis prepares for his first season at Manchester City
Vitor Reis is preparing for his first season with Manchester City after playing for Girona, focusing on improving his fitness and strengthening his muscles under close supervision.
Manchester City defender Vitor Reis is preparing for his first season in English football after spending a season on loan at Girona. Reis joined City from Brazilian club Palmeiras in January 2025, but made just four appearances for the first team – a total of 226 minutes – before being sent out on loan to develop his ability with the opportunity to play regularly. The 20-year-old spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Girona, where he established himself as one of the most reliable young centre-backs in La Liga, playing a total of 3,287 minutes in all competitions for the Catalan side last season. With Girona relegated, new Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca has expressed his intention to bring Reis back into the first team at the Etihad Stadium for the 2026-27 season, ending any doubts about a loan move elsewhere. Barcelona are one of the clubs to have shown interest in the centre-back following Girona's relegation, however, City's stance on integrating him into Maresca's squad remains unchanged. With pre-season approaching, attention has turned to Reis using the summer break to prepare for Premier League football, as City embark on a new era following Guardiola's departure after a decade in Manchester. According to information from ESPN's Daniel Bocatto, Reis is using the break to focus on 'gaining weight and coming back stronger' for his return to Manchester City, combining strength training at the gym and on-field exercises with a physiotherapist. The young defender has also adjusted his diet to support healthy eating habits towards muscle strengthening, with regular blood tests carried out to determine if any additional supplements are needed. Even rest periods on holiday don't interrupt progress, with Reis said to be 'monitored 100% of the time' – including during recovery sessions and sleep – as part of a tightly managed program. The intensity of the training regime underlines the seriousness Reis is placing in his preparations, with the player expected to immediately get a chance to play when Maresca's squad return to training. City's defensive situation is still in another upheaval, with John Stones gone and Ruben Dias on the transfer radar from Real Madrid, opening up greater opportunities for Reis regardless of how that situation plays out. Barcelona's interest earlier in the transfer window does not appear to have distracted Reis' focus, with his physical program suggesting that he is preparing as if his future at Manchester City is already confirmed rather than facing a new exit. Whether that translates into a permanent place in the squad under Maresca from August remains to be seen, but City's board will see his hard work in the summer as a positive sign for a player they have long positioned to be part of the rebuilding process after Guardiola.
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