Crystal Palace are reportedly ready to offer £15 million to sign Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.
Crystal Palace have made a statement of intent in the transfer market by submitting an ambitious £15 million bid for Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji. With the summer window rapidly nearing its conclusion, Oliver Glasner’s side are pushing to bring in a player with title-winning pedigree to reinforce their backline.
Crystal Palace and a frustrating summer
The Eagles’ summer has been a mixed bag. They have welcomed just two new signings so far, goalkeeper Walter Benitez and left-back Borna Sosa, but also waved goodbye to their most influential attacker, Eberechi Eze, who joined Arsenal in a £67.5m switch. On top of that, Marc Guehi, the club’s captain and defensive leader, continues to be heavily linked with a move to Liverpool.
With uncertainty clouding Guehi’s future, Crystal Palace have turned to Akanji, a player with proven experience at the highest level. The 30-year-old Swiss international has won two Premier League titles in his three seasons at Manchester City, and his composure and versatility have made him a reliable option in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Akanji brings pedigree and stability. Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, he has racked up over 130 appearances for Manchester City, contributing five goals and three assists in all competitions. His ability to slot into multiple defensive roles would give Glasner both tactical flexibility and immediate quality.
While last season saw Manchester City endure a bumpier ride, finishing third after consecutive league titles, Akanji still featured prominently, making 40 appearances. However, his omission from Guardiola’s squad in City’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham earlier this month raised questions about where he stands in the pecking order.
Manuel Akanji is Crystal Palace bound?
According to The Sun, Crystal Palace’s £15 million offer, which includes performance-based bonuses, might seem modest compared to City’s usual transfer dealings. Yet, the bid highlights the Eagles’ ambition to punch above their weight in the Premier League. For a side that has often been cautious in its spending, targeting a Champions League-level defender is a significant step.
If Guehi does leave, Akanji could arrive as a ready-made replacement, bringing leadership and experience to a defence that could otherwise look short on proven top-flight quality. For Crystal Palace, it would also be a clear statement to supporters that the club intends to remain competitive despite losing star players.
Much now depends on Manchester City’s stance. Guardiola may prefer to keep Akanji for squad depth, but the player’s lack of minutes could influence negotiations. With just days left in the window, Crystal Palace have placed their cards firmly on the table.
For a club often accused of playing it safe, a move for Akanji shows daring ambition. Whether they can convince Manchester City to sell is another matter, but this is a chase that could define Crystal Palace’s summer.