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Arsenal have reportedly ‘put out feelers’ alongside Manchester United for Borussia Dortmund star Manuel Akanji…
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 is significant interest from Manchester United and Juventus in the Swiss international, who could be leaving Borussia Dortmund after the club undertook a major defensive revamp.
They 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. And it appears as though Arsenal are looking to take advantage.
THE LATEST: PUT OUT FEELERS
According to German outlet Bild (via Sport Witness), the Gunners have “put out feelers” for Borussia Dortmund star Manuel Akanji, who ‘dreams’ of playing in the Premier League.
The centre-back is out of contract in 2023 and the report goes on to claim it is ‘almost impossible’ that he will stay at the Signal Iduna Park beyond this season, after securing their new additions as mentioned above.
It is also said that Italian giants Juventus are also “in the running” for his services this summer.
THE VERDICT: LINKS PUZZLING
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 Rob Holding a quality option off the bench.
The north London outfit will also have William Saliba returning to the cub next summer from his loan spell at Marseille, making the Akanji links puzzling.
Whilst the 39-time Swiss international has been given a respectable SofaScore average rating of 6.97, with former Liverpool favourite Stephane Henchoz recently labeling 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…
