A member of Pep Guardiola’s squad will decide if he will leave Manchester City within the next 48 hours.
Heading into the final week of the summer transfer window, it looks like the Premier League giants will be busy, with outgoings the main focus of the Manchester club after Guardiola made it clear that he wants to work with a smaller squad throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Savinho is being heavily pursued by Tottenham, and if the winger is sold, he will be replaced by Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
This situation is similar to Ederson, who is wanted by Galatasaray. If the Brazilian goalkeeper leaves England, Gianluigi Donnarumma will move to Man City.
Some names that won’t be replaced if they leave are Ilkay Gundogan, Manuel Akanji, Stefan Ortega, and Nathan Ake, and it is now being reported that a member of this group will make a decision on their future in Manchester within the next 48 hours.
Ederson and Manuel Akanji shake hands during Manchester City v Southampton.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Manuel Akanji to decide on Galatasaray move within 48 hours
Akanji was an unused substitute for Man City’s Premier League opener against Wolves, and Guardiola made his plans for the defender clear on Saturday, as the Swiss star did not even make it into his squad.
More Man City News
This followed the news that Man City had reached an agreement with Galatasaray on a £15m transfer fee for the centre-back, with it also being reported that the 30-year-old was considering his future, having been approached by the Turkish club.
Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu is now reporting that Akanji will decide on a move to Galatasaray within the next 48 hours, as there are now other clubs involved in the race.
Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in signing Akanji as a replacement for Piero Hincapie, should the defender complete a move to Arsenal over the coming days.
The centre-back is also on the list of Crystal Palace, who have matched Galatasaray’s bid for the Man City star, with it now up to the player as to where he wants to continue his career.
Clinton Morrison described Akanji as “outstanding” on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign, but that is an adjective that cannot be used for the defender over the last 12 months, with now seemingly the right time for the Switzerland international to leave.
Stefan Ortega could remain at Man City
Having signed James Trafford last month, Man City told Ortega that he can leave the Premier League club during the summer transfer window, and although that is still expected, there is a chance the German could stay at the Etihad Stadium.
The Athletic reports that the 32-year-old is still looking to find another club given the goalkeeper situation at City, but he is looking for the right option.
Stefan Ortega in action during Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
There has been interest from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs in Ortega over recent weeks, as well as an ambitious enquiry from the English Championship, but the Man City star wants to be a number one goalkeeper at a club challenging for major honours.
There are not many clubs at that level still seeking a new goalkeeper, so if the right option does not appear, the report states that the German star will remain at the Manchester club, where he has a year left on his deal.