According to the Sun, Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji is seeking a transfer to the Premier League after being made available to Arsenal for £21 million.
The centre-back was a regular in Marco Rose’s starting lineup last season, but with the departure of the German manager and the recent additions of Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterback, the 26-year-old is expected to leave this season.
Akanji’s agents have apparently been in negotiations with the Gunners in an attempt to arrange a transfer away from the Signal Iduna Park, with the £21-million asking price anticipated to lower in the coming weeks.
The defender would join forces with his international teammate Granit Xhaka in a move that would see Akanji join forces with his international teammate Granit Xhaka.
But the prospects of seeing Akanji in the red and white of Arsenal don’t look as promising!
The north London club already has Ben White and Rob Holding on the right side of central defence, and with William Saliba returning from his loan spell at Marseille, they have depth in the position.
Meanwhile, Pablo Mari is allegedly close to joining Udinese on a permanent basis, emphasising Arteta’s need for a left-footed defender.
William Saliba is set to return and hold his place in the first-team after an award-filled season on loan with Olympique Marseille.
In a recent interview with French publication Telefoot, the Frenchman expressed his readiness to stay at Arsenal despite a three-year wait for a debut.
After admitting, “I have played zero matches and I still want to show them my real skill and have the chance to play for these supporters and this fantastic club,” the Ligue 1 Rookie of the Year is anticipated to push the likes of Benjamin White and Gabriel Magalhes ahead of the new season.
“But it doesn’t only depend on me,” Saliba continued, raising the possibility of additional uncertainties and adjustments to Mikel Arteta’s backline.
Akanji’s name has been linked to a Premier League move on several occasions, with Manchester United apparently expressing interest earlier this year as well!
As for Arsenal, there is also the angle of Arteta having to manage his transfer budget this summer, as a new striker, central midfielder, and left defender are all said to be on his want list.
Arteta stated last month that he will be cautious in the market due to the club’s financial position.
He said: ‘We are going to have certain resources, not unlimited resources, some resources. And with our resources, we have to play and do what we have to do in the best possible way.
‘We don’t know what the rest will have but obviously it will be challenging because now it is not a top three, it is a top eight, but that is why we have to find a way to do again what we did last summer.’
