Last week, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Tottenham as a candidate to sign Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji.
AC Milan were also in the race, but Spurs were believed to be leading the charge, with Galatasaray previously having failed in a move for the Switzerland international.
Tottenham are still in the race for the centre-back, as the hours tick down to 7pm.
Today’s Gazzetta dello Sport report that Milan’s move for the 30-year-old has fallen through as Akanji is keen on playing in the Champions League, with the Rossoneri only having qualified for the Europa League.
Milan are now focusing on a move for Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, with Leicester City’s Caleb Okoli also seen as an option. This can give Tottenham a key opening in a move for Akanji, with Thomas Frank’s side said to be ‘frontrunners’ in the race.
Corriere dello Sport’s Ivan Zazzaroni has also indicated that the Switzerland international has shown an inclination towards joining Spurs because of his desire to play in the Champions League.
He said on Instagram, relayed by AreaNapoli: “ Højlund chose Napoli to play in the Champions League, rejecting Milan and Leipzig . Akanji did the same, turning down offers from Furlani & Co. for City or Tottenham.”
The journalist also notes that Akanji can still stay at Manchester City, with time running out in the transfer window.
This suggests that everything can now depend on Tottenham and whether they make a decisive move for the player or not.