Manchester City defender Manu Akanji is close to sealing a move away from the Etihad for the upcoming season
Manu Akanji
Manu Akanji
Manu Akanji is moving closer to Inter Milan after Manchester City were approached about a move for the defender. The Swiss international could make a temporary switch on deadline day after finding himself short of game time at the Etihad.
Akanji has been an important part of Pep Guardiola's squad in the three seasons that he has been in Manchester since signing from Dortmund in 2022, but has found himself out of favour at the beginning of this campaign. He did not make the squad for the home defeat to Spurs and was an unused substitute in the other two matches.
City need to trim their squad, both because Guardiola would prefer to work with smaller numbers and they currently have two too many non-homegrown players to register in the Champions League.
A number of clubs have enquired about Akanji in recent weeks as he refused to close the door on a City exit, including Galatasaray, Tottenham and AC Milan. Akanji has not been desperate to move though, with the Blues prepared to keep him if no suitable offer came in.
Inter have made contact on deadline day, and the offer of Champions League football alongside Serie A in Milan has appealed to Akanji. If a deal can be completed, it will be a loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
City are also working to complete deals for Ederson to join Fenerbahce and Gianluigi Donnarumma to replace him from PSG. Both goalkeepers have a year left on their respective contracts as they look for a change of club.
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