Arsenal offered the chance to sign Borussia Dortmund star Manuel Akanji in the middle of Manchester United’s transfer links
According to The Sun, Arsenal have been given the opportunity to sign Borussia Dortmund star Manuel Akanji in the middle of links to Manchester United for a potential transfer. His future is in the air despite being a regular presence in his team’s defense in the previous season.
Man United have already been linked with a move to Akanji as they look to improve their defensive options this summer. Now the Gunners can reject the former’s transfer plans if they accept the offer to complete a switch to the central defender. The latter has lost his place on the team following the signing of Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck and the dismissal of Marco Rose.
This has led Akanji’s representatives to propose his services to Mikel Arteta’s side, although it is claimed that the English side will hardly accept the offer. This is because Arsenal prefer to sign a left-footed midfielder as opposed to the Swiss national team player, which would be a boost for the Red Devils.
Possible signing for Man Utd?
After the disastrous campaign 2021-22, the mancunians must do their best to raise the quality of the team if there are plans to support Erik ten Hag going forward. However, there are a number of positions that need to be strengthened this summer, which means that we may be forced to look for sensible market opportunities.
People like Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof have not performed their best despite enjoying quite a few minutes last campaign. As such, we need to look for opportunities that can add more competition to the backline ahead of the upcoming season.
Akanji could be such a case as Dortmund seek to get rid of him as they have conveyed to him that he is free to leave Signal Iduna Park. Both the Gunners and Red Devils cannot offer Champions League football to Akanji next season.
That being said, the German side have set a value of £ 21 million for the 26-year-old defender. While this fee is certainly reasonable, it would not make sense to pay that amount, especially when they secured Schlotterbeck’s services for about the same price.
Fortunately, it is believed that the price tag may fall as a result, which we should see to take advantage of this summer. Then again, it would be wise to discuss the matter with ten Hag and see if Akanji would fit his plans before we actively target him this summer.
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So let’s wait and see how this situation develops in the coming weeks. It’s important for a top team to have four good center-backs in their ranks, and with Eric Bailly constantly overlooked for several seasons, it’s time for us to add some competition at the back.
