While Harry Maguire’s United difficulties continue, the Red Devils have been heartened by the news that his potential replacement Manuel Akanji is coming closer to a move away from Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester United have received a big help in their pursuit of Manuel Akanji, as the defender has continued to turn down contract offers from Borussia Dortmund.
Despite signing Raphael Varane from Real Madrid last summer, United have been linked with the addition of a defender as Harry Maguire’s position continues to be threatened. The current Red Devils captain has suffered a frustrating season in which he has been in the news on a near-daily basis.
Weeks after allegedly engaging in a tug-of-war with Cristiano Ronaldo over the club’s captaincy, rumors emerged that certain members of the Manchester United squad privately questioned Maguire’s continued selection despite his below-par performances. However, United may have discovered a solution in Akanji.
The Swiss defender joined Dortmund from Basel in January 2018 and has established himself as a staple in the heart of Dortmund’s defense over the last 18 months in particular. The Bundesliga club have made repeated attempts to tie Akanji down to a new term at the Westfalenstadion. But it appears as though the player is set on chasing a new challenge in the near future.
Dortmund are resigned to losing the 26-year-old centre-back in the summer, before he enters the final 12 months of his contract, according to RN and BILD. According to reports in Germany, Akanji has ‘little to no chance’ of signing a new agreement as he continues to defy Dortmund’s advances.
With Akanji’s departure now a foregone conclusion, the Black and Yellows are thought to be demanding a sum in the region of £25million for the defender at the season’s end. As long as Maguire’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, Akanji could prove to be the ideal replacement.
Suppose Akanji joins United, he will rejoin with former Dortmund teammate and close buddy Jadon Sancho. The winger himself took the same move last summer, for a reported fee of over £73 million.