Manuel Akanji finds himself at the center of a high-profile transfer saga as Galatasaray have sent their contract proposal to the Swiss defender’s camp following a £15 million agreement with Manchester City. The Turkish Super Lig champions are making aggressive moves in the transfer market, with Victor Osimhen personally recruiting his potential new teammate through direct phone calls, as they seek to strengthen their squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign.
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Club-to-Club Agreement Reached
According to Fabrizio Romano, Galatasaray are closing in on an agreement with Manchester City for Manuel Akanji’s permanent move, with a £15 million fee agreed between the clubs, pending final details. The Turkish champions have now sent their contract proposal to Akanji’s camp after reaching this crucial milestone in negotiations.
| Transfer Details Overview |
|---|
| Transfer Fee: £15 million |
| Current Status: Club agreement reached |
| Player Decision: Still pending |
| Contract Until: 2027 at Manchester City |
Romano clarified that after the club-to-club agreement, Galatasaray made their offer to Manuel Akanji within 24 hours, though no proposal had been on the table to the player previously and there were no current indications from Akanji about his intention to accept the destination.
Player’s Surprising Response
The transfer saga took an unexpected turn when Akanji himself responded directly to transfer reports on social media. When Romano initially reported the agreement between the clubs, the Swiss defender personally dropped a reply to the story stating: “Don’t know anything about that.” This direct response from the player highlighted the fluid nature of transfer negotiations and the gap between club agreements and player consent.
Romano subsequently clarified his report, explaining that the agreement had been between the two clubs, and Galatasaray would now move to officially present their bid to Akanji himself. The journalist even deleted his original Instagram post following the player’s public contradiction.
Osimhen’s Personal Recruitment Drive
One of the most intriguing aspects of this transfer pursuit involves Victor Osimhen’s direct involvement in recruiting Akanji. According to respected Galatasaray reporter Yakup Çınar, Osimhen spoke with the 30-year-old Swiss defender to consider joining Galatasaray this summer.
| Osimhen’s Recruitment Role |
|---|
| Method: Personal phone call to Akanji |
| Message: Invitation to join Galatasaray |
| Status: Recently completed €75m move from Napoli |
| Role: Acting as unofficial recruitment agent |
The Nigerian striker, who completed his permanent move to the Turkish giants for €75 million after a successful loan spell from Napoli, has taken on an active recruiting role for his new club. Turkish sources report that Osimhen personally contacted Akanji to try and persuade him to make the switch to Istanbul as Galatasaray seek their third major summer signing following the arrivals of Osimhen and Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané.
Manchester City’s Squad Restructuring
Pep Guardiola’s willingness to let Akanji leave stems from his desire to reduce Manchester City’s squad size. The Spanish manager has acknowledged that it’s not “healthy” for his squad to be so bloated, with top-quality players like Akanji finding themselves on the fringes of the first team.
Akanji was notably left as an unused substitute during City’s Premier League opening day victory over Wolves, with John Stones and Ruben Dias preferred in central defence. This situation highlights the competitive nature of City’s defensive options and suggests Guardiola’s tactical preferences for the upcoming season.
| Manchester City’s Defensive Options |
|---|
| First Choice: John Stones, Ruben Dias |
| Competition: Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol |
| New Addition: Abdukodir Khusanov |
| Departure Target: Manuel Akanji |
| On Loan: Vitor Reis (Girona) |
The Swiss international joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for around £15 million in September 2022 and immediately became part of Guardiola’s first-team plans. He played 29 Premier League games in his maiden campaign, helping the club win the historic Treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League.
Galatasaray’s Champions League Ambitions
Galatasaray’s pursuit of Akanji is part of their broader strategy to compete at the highest level in the Champions League. Fresh off reclaiming the Super Lig title, the Turkish giants are making bold moves in the transfer market with one clear target: to go as far as possible in European competition.
The club has already secured major signings including Osimhen from Napoli and Leroy Sané from Bayern Munich, demonstrating their serious intentions for the upcoming season. Alongside these marquee additions, they view Akanji as a key defensive reinforcement who can provide the stability needed for European competition.
Negotiation Complexities and Timeline
Galatasaray representatives are currently in the UK trying to advance the Manuel Akanji deal with Manchester City. Romano reports that negotiations are underway with both Manchester City and the player’s side, though an agreement still has not been reached with the defender himself.
| Current Negotiation Status |
|---|
| Club Agreement: Completed at £15m |
| Player Terms: Under negotiation |
| Agent Location: Expected in Istanbul |
| Timeline: Final days of transfer window |
| Competition: Limited alternatives |
The Turkish champions’ management has already sent a contract proposal and expects Akanji’s agent to travel to Istanbul for further discussions. If terms are agreed, Akanji will become one of the marquee signings in Turkey this summer, joining an increasingly impressive roster at the club.
Player’s Career Considerations
At 30 years old, Akanji faces a crucial decision about his career trajectory. Having been a reliable figure under Pep Guardiola since joining from Dortmund, he has made over 130 appearances for City and was a key part of their treble-winning campaign. However, the arrival of new defenders and his reduced role in recent matches suggest his playing time may become increasingly limited.
The Swiss defender of Nigerian heritage is reportedly keen on regular playing time, potentially motivated by maintaining his place in Switzerland’s national team setup for upcoming international competitions. This desire for consistent football could make the Galatasaray proposition particularly attractive.
Financial and Strategic Implications
For Manchester City, the £15 million fee represents a straightforward return on their initial investment in Akanji. The club is unlikely to seek a direct replacement for the defender, with Guardiola and his coaching staff comfortable with the remaining depth in central defensive positions.
City retain an option of recalling Vitor Reis from his loan at Girona in the event of a personnel crisis at defense, providing some insurance should injuries affect their remaining center-backs during the season.
Multiple City Targets
Akanji is not the only Manchester City player on Galatasaray’s radar. The Turkish champions are also pursuing City goalkeeper Ederson, though their €10 million bid falls short of City’s €25 million valuation. This multi-pronged approach demonstrates Galatasaray’s serious intent to raid City’s squad for experienced, high-quality players.
The potential departures of both Akanji and Ederson would represent significant changes to City’s squad composition, though the club appears prepared for such scenarios as part of their strategic squad management approach.
Decision Time Approaching
With the transfer window entering its final phase, Akanji must make his decision quickly. The contract proposal from Galatasaray represents a genuine opportunity for regular playing time at a club with European ambitions, backed by the personal endorsement of one of football’s most prolific strikers in Osimhen.
The coming days will determine whether this transfer saga concludes with Akanji making the move to Istanbul or remaining at Manchester City for another season of squad rotation under Pep Guardiola.
Read More: Liverpool Receives Clear Message: Federico Chiesa Makes U-Turn and Wants to Stay at Anfield
FAQs
Q: Has Manuel Akanji agreed to join Galatasaray? A:
No, while Galatasaray and Manchester City have agreed on a £15m fee, Akanji has not yet made a decision and publicly stated he didn’t know about the agreement.
What role is Victor Osimhen playing in this transfer?
Osimhen personally called Akanji to encourage him to join Galatasaray, taking on an active recruiting role for his new club after his own €75m transfer.
Why is Manchester City willing to sell Akanji?
Pep Guardiola wants to reduce his squad size and believes it’s not healthy to have top-quality players like Akanji on the fringes of the first team.
How much did Manchester City originally pay for Akanji?
City signed Akanji from Borussia Dortmund for approximately £15m in September 2022, making this potential sale break-even financially.
When does Akanji’s Manchester City contract expire?
Akanji’s contract with Manchester City runs until 2027, meaning he still has two years remaining on his current deal.
