Longstanding Arsenal target Manuel Akanji has been told he can leave Borussia Dortmund this summer if a ‘suitable offer’ is made for him.
That’s according to Sky Sports Germany, who say the Swiss defender is one of several that the German club would happily move on in this transfer window.
They explain that Akanji is currently only the number four pick in the ranking at the club behind Niklas Sule, Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels.
Furthermore, his current contract is set to expire in 2023, and he does not want to extend it. That means the Bundesliga side need to sell to avoid losing him on a free next year.
Sky make no mention of any interested parties, but it is likely Arsenal will be keeping a close eye on the situation.
They were first linked all the way back in 2020, but the rumours have picked up again this year, with it stated they had ‘put out feelers’ in May and Akanji was ‘considering’ a move to England.
The latest on the situation came last month when it was stated again that Arsenal were ‘seriously interested’ in a potential €30m deal.
There’s been no mention of a move since then, but Borussia Dortmund now putting him up for sale definitively could change that.
Mikel Arteta’s squad are well stocked for central defenders after William Saliba and Pablo Mari both returned from loan spells to further complement their ranks.
They, though, have been linked with moves away this summer, and so has Gabriel Magalhaes, who Juventus remain keen on.
Indeed, that could now pick up, given they appear set to miss out on Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea.
Should one or two of those three leave, then a replacement will be needed, and perhaps Akanji is the man to do that.
That’s speculation on our part, but it would make sense given the player is very much available and the interest has been there from the Emirates for some time.
