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Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Manuel Akanji, although the Gunners are expected to pass up the opportunity.
THE LOWDOWN: MOVE AWAY BECKONS
The Switzerland international centre-back, whose contract expires in 2023, has become a high-quality target for some of the big clubs across the continent as a move away from Germany beckons in the summer.
There has been significant interest from Manchester United and Juventus in the Swiss international, who could be leaving Borussia Dortmund amid a defensive revamp.
The Yellow-Wall signed Freiburg centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck recently in a deal worth €20m (£16.8m) plus bonuses, handing him a three-year deal and also secured the signing of Niklas Sule on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
It seems the duo will be the starting central defenders for BVB from next season onwards. With Mats Hummels likely to remain at the club, there may not be a place for Akanji in the side. Though, it seems the Gunners could pass up on the opportunity to sign the Swiss star.
THE LATEST: OFFERED CHANCE
According to The Sun, Akanji is free to leave Dortmund, and the north London outfit have been offered the chance to sign the Swiss international.
However, according to The Mirror, the club have turned down the chance to bring the Switzerland international to the Emirates.
The centre back, who is an international team-mate of midfielder Granit Xhaka, is not said to be the defender Mikel Arteta desires this summer.
THE VERDICT: NOT NEEDED
A first-team regular since 2018, the £27m-rated defender has had a mixed spell with the German giants, with some performances and patches of form being less than desired for the Bundesliga side.
Mikel Arteta has an established defensive setup consisting of Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White as his starting centre-backs, with William Saliba and Rob Holding quality back-up options off the bench.
Whilst the 39-time Swiss international has been given a respectable SofaScore average rating of 6.97, with former Liverpool favourite Stephane Henchoz recently labelling the Swiss star as “outstanding”, Arsenal’s interest in the centre-back is odd given how strong Arteta’s squad is in that position.
AND in other news, Arsenal are interested in this “incredible” Scottish wonderkid…
