Man City could U-turn on Manuel Akanji deal after journalist’s £15m reveal – pundit
Alan Hutton has claimed Man City won’t need Manuel Akanji when their current defensive lineup is fully fit.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa right-back said Pep Guardiola will be looking to sign the 27-year-old to deepen his squad.
According to journalist David Ornstein (30 August), City are close to an agreement with Borussia Dortmund over the transfer of the centre-back.
The deal is said to be worth around £15million.
Centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake are both currently sidelined due to injury.
Ruben Dias and John Stones are Guardiola’s other centre-back options and have both been given game time this season.
When asked if centre-back is a position the Sky Blues need to strengthen, Hutton told Football Insider: “Fully fit, no.
“I think they’ve got a lot of options but they have had injuries. Akanji is obviously a player who has played at a high level with Dortmund, he’s a good player.
“Is he going to come in and play week in week out? I’m not so sure when everybody is fit. It’s always difficult to tell what Pep’s going to do with his team he moves them around that much.
“He obviously feels that he needs a bit of strength and depth there so if he can bring in a player of that quality, on the last day, it’s a good bit of business depending on what the fee and stuff is.
“He’ll just be looking to strengthen and continue the work and progress that he’s done so far. I would see it as a good signing.“
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