When asked ahead of Manchester City's Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest if City's summer transfer business was complete, Pep Guardiola said: "I don't know what is going to happen."
It soon became clear why he was coy with his answer; City are in negotiations to sign central defender Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund, as first reported by The Athletic.
City are reportedly close to agreeing a deal worth €17.5m (£15m) for the defender, who is currently in the final year of his contract at the Bundesliga club. City have dipped back into the market as they identified a chance to bolster Guardiola's squad.
Who is Manuel Akanji?
Akanji is a 27-year-old Swiss centre-back who has played for Borussia Dortmund since joining from FC Basel in 2018. He is right-footed but can play as either a right-sided or left-sided centre-back, and is noted for his composure on the ball.
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Akanji made 36 appearances for Dortmund last season, and started both legs of the Champions League quarter-final between City and Dortmund in April 2021.
He made his international debut for Switzerland back in 2017, representing his country at both the 2018 World Cup and the European Championships in 2021.
Why do City want him?
City have four senior centre-backs, but since earlier this year they have struggled to keep them all fit at the same time. Aymeric Laporte is currently still recovering from knee surgery while Nathan Ake is sidelined with a groin injury sustained against Newcastle.
Ruben Dias and John Stones have partnered each other since Ake limped off against Newcastle, but under their watch City have conceded five league goals in two games.
While Borussia Dortmund haven't exactly been a defensively sound team in recent years, Akanji would provide a good squad option at a very reasonable price. Given that Nathan Ake was close to leaving City this summer, this represents a good opportunity for City to get his replacement in early doors.
Akanji is comfortable on the ball and should be able to cope with Guardiola's demands. Compared to other central defenders in Europe's top five leagues, Akanji ranks in the top 91st percentile for progressive passes per 90 minutes played (4.22), the top 89th percentile for progressive carries per 90 minutes played (4.44) and the top 80th percentile for pass completion (89.4%).
Akanji has fallen down the pecking order at Dortmund since they signed Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck this summer so might be keen on taking up a new challenge.
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