Akanji leaves City, Galatasaray opens the way for Khusanov to start...

Manchester City aims to compete for the main trophy in all the competitions they are participating in this season. In particular, under the leadership of Josep Guardiola, the team’s main objectives include reclaiming the English Premier League title from Liverpool and winning the UEFA Champions League.

The Spanish manager continues to refresh the squad in pursuit of these goals. The new transfer campaign, which began in winter with the arrival of Abdukodir Khusanov, is still ongoing. So far, in addition to the Uzbek defender, the club has signed Nico Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, Juma Ba, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki.

Moreover, Josep Guardiola has already informed the club’s management that he wants to work with a compact squad. This implies that City may part ways with several players.

According to esteemedkompany.com, a source that regularly covers English football, Turkey’s Galatasaray club has started working on the transfer of central defender Manuel Akanji. This further clarifies the situation in City.

— One of the overcrowded positions in Manchester City is central defense. Guardiola’s team has multiple high-level central defenders. Therefore, the club is planning to sell one or two of them to reduce the squad.

If we look at the central defenders who may leave the team this summer, the first name mentioned is Manuel Akanji. Galatasaray has already begun efforts to acquire the Swiss player.

According to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Galatasaray is studying the conditions of Akanji’s transfer and, if the player agrees to a wage cut, an official offer will be submitted to City.

Currently, Manchester City has strong central defenders like Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis. Among them, there is almost no talk of Dias, Gvardiol, or Khusanov leaving the team anytime soon.

Stones and Ake are considered strategic figures in the squad. Vitor Reis is expected to go on loan this season. In this case, Manuel Akanji becomes the main candidate for sale. It seems he no longer fits into City’s near-future plans.

If Akanji stays at the club, tough competition awaits him. Khusanov is expected to compete for a more significant role in the starting lineup. To give the talented Uzbek defender enough playing time, the club may be forced to part ways with Akanji.

The future of Manuel Akanji mostly depends on his personal decision. His current contract with the club runs until the summer of 2027. If he chooses the Galatasaray option, the transfer can be completed without major difficulties for both clubs, writes esteemedkompany.com analyst Adam Marrett. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!