- City secure transfer boost
- Akanji deal now triggered
- Defensive changes continue
Manchester City have secured an early summer transfer boost as Pep Guardiola’s squad continues to move towards another period of change.
Manchester City will be active in the summer transfer window once again, with multiple senior players set to leave.
Bernardo Silva announced his departure last month after spending almost a decade at the Etihad Stadium.
Likewise, John Stones’ exit was also announced two weeks later. The England international’s contract expires at the end of the season.
With Stones’ exit, the defence will be one of the areas for improvement this summer. However, it looks like the club will have to look for another replacement in the back four, with Manuel Akanji also at the door.
Man City seal Manu Akanji transfer fee
According to Manchester Evening News, Inter Milan have triggered the conditions to sign Manuel Akanji permanently from Manchester City.
The reports said that the Citizens will bank around £13m in the deal as the Italian side is set to meet the clause in Akanji’s loan deal.
The Swiss international joined the Serie A side on loan at the start of the season. After falling out of Guardiola’s long-term plans, Akanji decided to search for gametime elsewhere.
The agreement included an obligation to buy Akanji if he played in at least 50% of Inter’s Serie A games and they won the league.
Inter ended up winning the Serie A title with a 2-0 win over Parma on the weekend. Akanji also featured regularly enough to trigger the clause.
Akanji deal gives Man City useful summer flexibility
City are not set to make a major profit on Akanji. However, it was good business considering a contract expiration in June 2027.
The 30-year-old joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 for around £15m. He also played an important role in the club’s treble-winning campaign.
However, as he aged, the defender’s role was reduced. Later, he ended up no longer central to Guardiola’s plans.
Nevertheless, the £13m gives the Sky Blues extra flexibility before the start of the summer transfer window.
Despite not being a big name on the team, his exit marks the removal of an experienced defender capable of playing under Guardiola. Likewise, Man City will have to plan the back four accordingly, especially following two centre-back exits.
Vitor Reis could benefit from Man City defensive changes
This could make a call back for Vitor Reis even more plausible. City signed the Brazilian from Palmerias in January 2025.
However, the 20-year-old was sent on loan to Girona immediately. Guardiola didn’t risk him giving many minutes without European experience.
Regardless, Reis has impressed during his loan spell. The Brazilian now wants to be back at the Etihad, and even Guardiola was surprised by his quick development.
However, the 20-year-old won’t be making regular starts for City next season, but the club will make sure to play him regularly in cup matches to further accelerate his progress.
