Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United handed transfer boost for Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji in the summer
According to German publication BILD (h/t Manchester Evening News), Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji is set to explore other options at the end of the season, in what is a significant transfer boost for Manchester United.
The defender has been a regular feature for Dortmund ever since his move to the club in 2018, after impressing in his native country with Basel. The player is also an experienced international with the Swiss national side, recently featuring in the 2020 UEFA Euros.
After spending nearly four years in the Bundesliga, the centre-back is said to be resisting temptations to stay at Signal Iduna Park and seek other challenges. Given the player’s reputation, there are sure to be many clubs interested in securing his services in the summer.
United are one such club that will be monitoring Akanji ahead of the new campaign, given how dire the defensive situation is in Manchester. The rearguard has looked shaky all through the season, and let in cheap goals, which has seen the side slip down the Premier League table.
Akanji rejects Dortmund contract
Club captain Harry Maguire has been woeful recently and has been backed by satisfactory performances from new signing Raphael Varane and long-time partner Victor Lindelof. The Englishman has failed to lead by example at the back this term, and defensive reinforcements are necessary next season.
In a major transfer boost for United in their pursuit of Akanji, it is said that the defender has rejected a new contract offer from Dortmund and is likely to leave for around £20m in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, and that is partly down to the defence leaking in goals. The team seems to have no answers to stronger opposition attacks, and look disorganised when playing against the counterattack.
Schoolboy errors and a lack of focus on the pitch at times have also been seen repeated, despite the fact that the current crop of defenders that the club have are all experienced international stars, Lindelof, in fact, is the captain of the Sweden national team, while Varane has won a World Cup for France.
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Varane was only signed last summer, but he has so far failed to make much of an impact. A player like Akanji would be expected to come in and stabilise the current defence line, given how reliable he has been for Dortmund and Switzerland over the years.
Clearly, a defensive signing is a priority rather than a necessity in the summer. The Dortmund defender would rank high on most United fans’ wishlists, and it is now up to the Red Devils to actively pursue the player. With Akanji having rejected a new contract from the Bundesliga side, things look positive for us in our chase for the Swiss international.
