Manuel Akanji permitted to speak with potential suitor by Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City have reportedly permitted Manuel Akanji to discuss a potential move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Akanji, 30, joined Manchester City for just over £15 million on the final day of the 2022 summer transfer window from Borussia Dortmund and helped the Blues to a historic treble and maiden UEFA Champions League title in his first season at the Etihad Stadium,

The Switzerland international has been one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants in central defence since his arrival from Germany, having played an instrumental role in Rodri’s Champions League final winner in City’s 1-0 triumph over Inter Milan in Istanbul in 2023.

However, Akanji has often divided opinion amongst the Manchester City fanbase owing to high-profile errors that have proved costly for the Blues in recent seasons, gifting Son Heung-Min a one-on-one chance to equalise in a Premier League title decider clash away at Tottenham in 2024.

Akanji did not enjoy a stellar 2024-25 campaign by all accounts and there is a wide acceptance that after the January acquisitions of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, Manchester City could benefit from the departure of one of their senior centre-halves.

With two years left on his contract, Akanji has been discussed as a candidate Manchester City would be happy to sell this summer as newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana orchestrates a significant squad revamp after a sub-standard 2024-25 season wherein City finished third in the Premier League with 71 points.

Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol forged a strong centre-back partnership in the closing months of the recent season and are highly likely to begin the 2025-26 season – which will see City face off against Wolves in their opening Premier League game – as Guardiola’s preferred pairing at the heart of defence.

Nathan Ake and John Stones have endured fitness issues over the years and the latter – who is entering the final 12 months of his current deal and is one of Guardiola’s longest-serving servants – has been strongly linked with a timely departure from the Etihad Stadium.

According to the information of TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey, Manchester City have now allowed central defender Manuel Akanji to discuss a possible move to Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce.

Guardiola does not favour a bloated squad as he has made clear several times during his Manchester City tenure – and the Manchester City board will no doubt be keeping an eye on how the first-team squad could witness a few more departures between now and when the transfer window shuts on September 1.

It is highly likely that one of Ake, Stones or Akanji do depart, with Reis expected to stay put despite suggestions of a possible season-long loan, as Viana and co also look to trim the wage bill and streamline Guardiola’s squad to challenge on all fronts in the seasons to come.

City would prefer to sell Akanji this summer in the event of the right offer as they look to generate more revenue that could aid them in their pursuit of Newcastle and England right-back Valentino Livramento, who is the club’s number one target to replace the departed Kyle Walker at right-back.