Why Man Utd are growing confident of landing Dortmund star this summer
FT Desk
- Updated: 4 Apr 2022 11:46 BST
- 8 min read
Manchester United are looking increasingly likely to consider more defensive targets in the coming summer transfer window.
Whether it be to add depth to the side’s back line or as a fully-fledged replacement for Harry Maguire, there’s no doubt that the Old Trafford side will be spending money on defenders in a few months time.
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As such, one player that continues to be linked with a move to the club is Borussia Dortmund central defender Manuel Akanji.
However, while Man Utd are used to wrestling with selling clubs in the market and being forced to pay top prices, when it comes to Akanji the club may find it rather easy to buy the player this summer.
He’s not particularly good
Perhaps the most obvious reason behind Dortmund being open to offers for Akanji this summer is simply down to the fact that he isn’t very good.
While the Switzerland international was once considered a calm and reassuring presence in Dortmund’s defence, this season has exposed the player’s many misgivings and confirmed that he’ll never quite become the player many hoped he would be when he joined the Bundesliga side in 2018 for around €22 million.
As such, Dortmund have already made it clear that they’ll be upgrading their defensive options next summer, by signing Niklas Sule from Bayern Munich on a pre-contract agreement. Who will likely be coming to the club with every intention of taking Akanji’s spot in the team.
Dortmund would rather sell than lose for free
Another reason why Dortmund may be happy to sell Akanji this summer is down to the fact that they risk losing him for free 12 months later.
According to Sport1, the defender now prefers a move to England this summer rather than staying put at Dortnund next season.
Despite making two offers to the Switzerland international, Akanji has reportedly turned down Dortmund's attempts to sign him up to a new deal.
When asked about the prospect of leaving the club after their 4-1 defeat to RB Leipzig, Akanji didn't exactly go out of his way to commit his future to the Bundesliga side.
Man Utd linked Manuel Akanji on his future at Dortmund:
"I'm currently fully focused on Dortmund. We'll see what happens in the future... I think I have an important role and I want to perform to the end. And then we'll see how it goes in the summer." [Kicker]— Stefan Bienkowski (@SBienkowski) April 4, 2022
"I'm currently fully focused on Dortmund. We'll see what happens in the future," said Akanji. "I think I have an important role and I want to perform to the end. And then we'll see how it goes in the summer." [Kicker]
Considering his poor form this season, the club are reportedly reluctant to match the player’s high wage demands and would rather cash in on him while they still can.
At this moment in time Akanji is worth €27m and there’s a very good chance that Dortmund would accept a bid of around that amount from Man Utd this summer.
