Pep Guardiola's intervention helped Manchester City trump Barcelona to the signing of teenage Coritiba fullback Yan Couto.

City have signed the defender in a £10m deal, Couto agreeing terms on a five-year contract.

The Manchester Evening News says Barca were quicker with negotiations and managed to strike a deal with Coritiba first. This was where City's charm offensive stepped up.

Three weeks after winning the U17 World Cup in Brazil, Couto was at the Etihad for the first Manchester derby of the season as part of a trip where he was walked and talked through what his prospects could be if he chose the Blues over Barcelona.

Guardiola spoke to the player personally - something he does not always do with first-team signings - both in December and a month later when Couto returned for a medical, convinced that the pathway at City was the best route for him.

Couto is expected to do preseason with City before being loaned out to a club on the continent.