Manuel Akanji has made it clear to clubs what needs to happen if he is to leave Manchester City during the current transfer window.
Back in March, Pep Guardiola stated that Akanji would remain at Man City for the 2025/26 campaign; however, with the Manchester club needing to reduce the size of their squad, the centre-back is a player whom the Spanish coach is willing to let go.
The Switzerland star was an unused substitute during City’s first game of the season against Wolves and was not part of the squad for Tottenham, which is a clear indication that the 30-year-old is not part of Guardiola’s plans.
Galatasaray have been very keen on bringing Akanji to Turkey this summer, but the Man City star has now told the Super Lig champions what needs to happen for him to make the move.
Manuel Akanji before Paris Saint-Germain V Manchester City.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Manuel Akanji wants his wage demands met by Galatasaray
It was reported on Tuesday that Akanji would make a decision on his future over the coming hours, and that has now arrived, as the defender has rejected Galatasaray’s latest salary offer.
According to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, the Man City star has not only turned down the offer, but the Swiss star has also informed Galatasaray of the salary he is expecting to move to Turkey and that he will not accept anything lower than his demands.
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It is not clear how much the Super Lig champions offered the 30-year-old, but the centre-back’s demands are likely to be around his current salary at Man City, where the defender earns £180k per week.
It remains to be seen if Galatasaray now match Akanji’s demands just to get the deal done or if they walk away and focus on other targets.
As for the defender, he has other options to choose from, but the Man City star will likely have to lower his demands if he is to make one of these moves happen before the current transfer window shuts.
The other clubs interested in Manuel Akanji
It was reported on Tuesday that Bayer Leverkusen are interested in Manuel Akanji, while Crystal Palace have also joined the race for the Man City star, as both clubs may need to replace centre-backs in their squads over the coming days.
Having already played in the Bundesliga, Leverkusen are likely to be the most attractive option for the 30-year-old, as the German club can also provide him with Champions League football, in addition to being a club in Europe’s big five leagues.
Others may join the race in the upcoming days, but with time running out in the current transfer window, they would need to start laying some foundations with the Man City star very soon.