Manuel Akanji looks set to leave Manchester City over the coming days, but one option may be about to be ruined by a Liverpool star.
The Swiss international has been a crucial player at the Etihad Stadium ever since his £15m move during the summer of 2022; however, the centre-back’s performances have declined over the last 12 months.
Akanji has yet to play for City this season, and Pep Guardiola even left the defender out of his squad completely for their latest match with Tottenham, which was a clear sign that the 30-year-old is on the verge of leaving.
Several options are on the table for the Man City star, but one club that the defender may have closer to the top of his list could be ruined by their interest in a defender at Liverpool.
Manuel Akanji stepping off the Manchester City team bus.
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AC Milan are interested in Liverpool defender Joe Gomez
AC Milan director Igli Tare has made it clear that the Italian club want to sign Akanji over the coming days as they need to add some experience to their squad.
The Serie A outfit face a lot of competition in the race for the Man City star, and as a result, Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that Milan have added Liverpool’s Joe Gomez to their list, in addition to Villareal’s Juan Foyth.
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It remains uncertain if the Merseyside club are open to allowing the Englishman to leave, but that would certainly become a possibility if the Reds can complete a deal for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
Gomez has just as much experience as Akanji and is two years younger than the Man City star, so it would not be a surprise if Milan turned their attention to the Liverpool defender if a deal for the Swiss centre-back starts to get tough.
AC Milan need to sell players before signing Akanji, which puts them at a disadvantage in the race, because by the time they are ready, the 30-year-old may have already agreed to go to another club.
Joe Gomez in action for Liverpool v Bournemouth.
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Fabrizio Romano says Manuel Akanji will decide his future very soon
In addition to Milan, Tottenham are in the race for Akanji, with the North London club having a big advantage over the Italian side as they are a Premier League club that can offer the Swiss star Champions League football.
Galatasaray also offers Akanji the chance to play in Europe’s elite competition, and the Turkish club already have a £15m deal in place with Man City for the defender, but he seems to have doubts about this move.
Fabrizio Romano believes the 30-year-old will decide on his future very soon, with the transfer expert telling DAZN: “So Akanji is considering these options, the price is clear, £15m and Spurs are watching. So let’s see what’s going to happen there, with the player expected to decide very soon.”
Crystal Palace has an outside chance of signing Akanji, as the Eagles are on the lookout for centre-backs should Guehi leave over the coming days.
The Man City star will be glad to have many options, but it is getting close to the time when the defender needs to make a decision, as the 30-year-old has no future at the Etihad Stadium.