Real Madrid have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji this summer.
The 29-year-old has spent almost three seasons at the Etihad Stadium since completing a £15m transfer from Borussia Dortmund and he has made a total of 126 first-team appearances in all competitions.
Akanji has played an important part in the Citizens’ recent success under Pep Guardiola, helping the club win seven trophies including two Premier League titles and one Champions League.
However, Akanji is one of several Man City players who has been hampered with injuries this season; the Swiss defender is currently sidelined with an abductor problem which required surgery last month.
Guardiola hinted in February that Man City are ready to make widespread changes during a major squad rebuild this summer, as the club targets new players who can stay fit and adapt to the demands of playing regularly in multiple competitions.
Real Madrid decide against signing Man City’s Akanji?
According to Spanish news outlet Marca, Akanji – who is one of 12 players aged 29 and over at Man City – is a ‘surprise’ name who has been offered to Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.
It is claimed that Akanji’s ‘clear’ desire is a ‘change of scenery and a new experience’ away from Man City, who have endured a turbulent Premier League season and are currently involved in a hotly-contested battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
While it remains unknown as to whether Akanji would be interested in joining Real Madrid, the report states that Los Blancos do not view the defender as a viable transfer target.
It is understood that Carlo Ancelotti‘s side would prefer to recruit younger players who they hope can ‘dominate for a decade’ such as midfield star Jude Bellingham.
Real Madrid are known to be in the market for at least one defensive player this summer, and their top target is believed to be Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose commitment to the Spanish giants has been ‘confirmed’.
Akanji one of many who could leave Man City?
Akanji is not the only Man City player who has been tipped to leave the club this summer, with Marca claiming that several first-team stars are already on the market either because their contracts are close to expiring or they are seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Kevin De Bruyne – who is out of contract this summer – Ederson, Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake are among those who are believed to be facing an uncertain future at the Etihad.
Man City’s squad rebuild began in January when they spent in the region of £180m on four new signings – Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis – who all arrived aged 25 and under, while 19-year-old Claudio Echeverri has also linked up with Guardiola’s senior squad.
