Who is Man City defensive transfer target Manuel Akankji?

When asked ahead of Manchester City's Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest if City's summer transfer business was complete, Pep Guardiola said: "I don't know what is going to happen."

It soon became clear why he was coy with his answer; City are in negotiations to sign central defender Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund, as first reported by The Athletic.

City are reportedly close to agreeing a deal worth €17.5m (£15m) for the defender, who is currently in the final year of his contract at the Bundesliga club. City have dipped back into the market as they identified a chance to bolster Guardiola's squad.

Who is ManuelAkanji?

Akanji is a 27-year-old Swiss centre-back who has played for Borussia Dortmund since joining from FC Basel in 2018. He is right-footed but can play as either a right-sided or left-sided centre-back, and is noted for his composure on the ball.

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Akanji made 36 appearances for Dortmund last season, and started both legs of the Champions League quarter-final between City and Dortmund in April 2021.

He made his international debut for Switzerland back in 2017, representing his country at both the 2018 World Cup and the European Championships in 2021.

Why do City want him?

City have four senior centre-backs, but since earlier this year they have struggled to keep them all fit at the same time. Aymeric Laporte is currently still recovering from knee surgery while Nathan Ake is sidelined with a groin injury sustained against Newcastle.

Ruben Dias and John Stones have partnered each other since Ake limped off against Newcastle, but under their watch City have conceded five league goals in two games.

While Borussia Dortmund