Manchester City have supposedly been approached by Galatasaray over a deal for experienced centre-back Manuel Akanji during the summer transfer window.
The 30-year-old did not make it off the bench in Saturday's 4-0 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, as Ruben Dias and John Stones were selected in central defence ahead of him.
Nevertheless, Akanji did play a prominent role for Man City at the 2025 Club World Cup, starting two of his side's four matches and also completing just over an hour of the quarter-final defeat to Al-Hilal.
However, the Switzerland international is now 30 years old, and Pep Guardiola has several up-and-coming centre-backs coming through his ranks in Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Juma Bah, who is currently on loan at Nice.
As Akanji is also in the final two years of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, an exit before the transfer deadline is not beyond the realm of possibility, and Fabrizio Romano claims that Turkish giants Galatasaray have now been in touch.
Man City, Akanji 'approached' over Galatasaray transfer
Manchester City's Manuel Akanji on June 30, 2025
The Super Lig side have supposedly contacted both Man City and Akanji's representatives to understand the feasibility of a transfer, but the Swiss defender has not made any decision on his future yet.
Akanji has established himself as a critical player for Guardiola since signing from Borussia Dortmund three years ago, playing 136 times for the Citizens in all competitions and registering five goals and three assists.
The 30-year-old started 23 Premier League matches and eight Champions League fixtures last season, proving his worth at both centre-back and right-back, although he also struggled with an adductor injury in the second half of the season.
Guardiola has already been told that Akanji making the move to Galatasaray "would suit everyone", as the Switzerland international has endured a "post-treble malaise" since achieving Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup glory in his debut season in 2022-23.
Could Akanji secure immediate City transfer reunion at Galatasaray?
Manchester City's Ederson on December 11, 2024
Galatasaray's supposed interest in Akanji comes at a time where the Turkish titans are also pursuing a deal for Ederson, who is now seemingly surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola has added James Trafford to his ranks this summer - re-signing the Englishman from Burnley - and the Sky Blues are also thought to be working on a deal for Paris Saint-Germain outcast Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Ederson was left out of the squad to face Wolves due to illness, and at the same time, Galatasaray reportedly saw a €10m (£8.6m) offer for the South American shot-stopper fall short.
Man City are instead after a fee of €25m (£21.6m) to sanction Ederson's exit in the summer transfer window, a price that Galatasaray have not yet been willing to pay, and they have supposedly already made a bid for a highly-rated alternative.
However, a move for Ederson remains Gala's priority, so Akanji could very well be lining up in front of a familiar face should he also accept the Super Lig side's proposal.
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