Man City's most wanted player
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 31.08.25. | 10:50
Who would have thought at the beginning of the June Transfer Window that at its end, as many as four teams would be interested in the experienced centre-back
What do Galatasaray, Crystal Palace, AC Milan, and Tottenham have in common? At first glance, nothing, but at second... The answer is simple: they are all keen on bringing Man City's centre-back Manuel Akanji.
The Swiss was an integral part of all the Cityzens' successes in the last three years, but his time at Etihad Stadium seems to be up.
In the previous transfer window, City signed three centre-backs: young prospects currently on loan, Juma Bah and Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov. If we add John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol to the mix, it's clear that Akanji won't get much playing time.
Moreover, Pep Guardiola is reportedly still trying to bring England international Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, probably as a direct replacement for the 30-year-old Swiss.
The Cityzens offered Palace some sort of a swap, but that deal will hardly be realized. At the same time, Galatasaray and AC Milan are seriously interested Akanji, though he is slightly closer to Italy than Turkey.
However, the latest team to enter the contest for the defender could spoil the Rossoneri's plans, as Thomas Frank wants him at Tottenham! Given that Akanji allegedly stated that he'd like to play in the Champions League, Spurs immediately became favourites to bring him.
🚨 Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race for Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji as they look to beat both AC Milan and Crystal Palace to his signature.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 31, 2025
(Source: Gazetta Dello Sport) pic.twitter.com/pTM17zGDmo
They have already tried to purchase Savinho from the Cityzens, but the two sides couldn't come to terms regarding the compensation. In Akanji's case, the deal is much more plausible, and everything will be known very shortly, as the June Transfer Window in England ends tomorrow at 9 pm.
Akanji joined Man City from Borussia Dortmund on September 1, 2022, for £15 million. In three years, he made 136 appearances for the Cityzens and scored five goals. He won seven trophies with the Etihad crew, including two Premier Leagues and the 2023 UEFA Champions League.
Apart from City and Dortmund, Akanji played for the Swiss sides Winterthur and Basel.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 3
Saturday
Chelsea - Fulham 2-0 (1-0)
/Joao Pedro 45+9, Fernandez 56 pen/
Man. United - Burnley 3-2 (1-0)
/Cullen 27 (og), Mbeumo 57, Bruno 90+7 pen - Foster 55, Anthony 66/
Sunderland - Brentford 2-1 (0-0)
/Le Fee 82 pen, Isidor 90+6 - Thiago 77/
Tottenham - Bournemouth 0-1 (0-1)
/Evanilson 5/
Wolverhampton - Everton 2-3 (1-2)
/Hwang 21, Gomes 79 - Beto 7, Ndiaye 33, Dewsbury-Hall 55/
Leeds - Newcastle 0-0
Sunday
16.00: (4.30) Brighton (3.60) Man.City (1.85)
16.00: (1.75) Nott.Forest (3.50) West Ham (5.00)
18.30: (2.20) Liverpool (3.45) Arsenal (3.25)
21.00: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.50) Crystal Palace (3.90)
***odds are subject to change***
