Manuel Akanji siirtymässä Manchester Citystä Galatasarayin riveihin Istanbulissa – siirtoneuvottelut kuumenevat
It looks like Manchester City’s Swiss defender Manuel Akanji could be the next big name to walk out of Pep Guardiola’s crowded dressing room. And the club hoping to land him? None other than Galatasaray, Turkey’s footballing giant where passion for the game overflows from the stands to the streets. Reports say the Istanbul club has already tabled its first official offer.
The Numbers Game
According to Foot Mercato, Galatasaray is willing to put down around €17 million for Akanji. City, however, value him at roughly €21 million. Not exactly a chasm, and in the world of transfer negotiations, these gaps often shrink once serious talks begin.
And serious they are: Galatasaray officials have flown directly to Manchester to try to make it happen. Guardiola himself recently admitted City’s squad is too big, a thinly veiled sign that some players could be on the move before the window slams shut.
From Key Man to Bench Option
When Akanji arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 for a similar fee—about €17 million—he fit right in. In his debut season, he was a regular fixture in Guardiola’s backline and part of the historic treble-winning team of 2022–23.
Fast-forward to today, and things feel different. With competition from Rúben Dias, Nathan Aké, Joško Gvardiol, and John Stones, Akanji’s role has been reduced. He’s still reliable, still versatile, but he’s no longer Guardiola’s first choice.
That said, Akanji isn’t a bargain-bin player. His contract runs until 2027, giving City no pressure to sell on the cheap. Hence the insistence on their €21 million valuation.
Galatasaray Dreaming Big
For Galatasaray, this transfer push is part of a bold summer plan. They want a squad that can not only dominate the Turkish Super Lig but also hold its own in the Champions League. Akanji ticks all the right boxes: battle-tested in Europe’s biggest leagues, calm under pressure, and experienced on the international stage.
He’s also not the only City player they’ve had eyes on. Rumors suggest they’ve asked about goalkeeper Ederson too, though prising away Pep’s No. 1 seems more fantasy than reality at this stage.
What Happens If It Goes Through?
If Akanji does make the switch, it would be one of Galatasaray’s most high-profile defensive signings in recent memory. For City, it would mean recouping close to what they originally paid for a player who’s now more squad player than starter. For Gala, it would be the kind of statement signing that sends fans pouring into the streets of Istanbul in celebration—because if anyone knows how to welcome a new hero, it’s the Galatasaray supporters.
In Short:
- City want €21m for Akanji.
- Galatasaray have offered €17m. Talks are ongoing.
- Akanji’s playing time at City has dipped thanks to heavy competition.
- His deal runs until 2027, so City doesn’t have to sell.
- Galatasaray are also keeping an eye on Ederson, though a move seems unlikely.
So, what do you think? Would trading Manchester’s floodlights for Istanbul’s fiery football culture be a step forward for Akanji—or more of a sideways move?
