JAKARTA - Galatasaray is reportedly interested in Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji. The Super Lig team has contacted The Citizens regarding the possibility of recruiting the defender.
Manchester City, according to ESPN, did not rule out the possibility of releasing Akanji from the Etihad Stadium, but only with the transfer value they wanted.
The 30-year-old has been an important part of Pep Guardiola's squad since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and still has a two-year contract remaining.
Galatasaray is eyeing defenders and goalkeepers before the Super Lig (Super Turkey League) transfer deadline on September 12, 2025.
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Ideally, they wanted players to arrive before the deadline to register their squad for the 2025/2026 Champions League on September 2, 2025.
Galatasaray manager, Bad Okan, wants versatile defenders who can play as right-backs and centre-backs. No wonder they are aiming for Akanji's recruitment.
Akanji has played both roles for Manchester City under Guardiola's command. Posing dominantly as a centre-back, he started the 2023 Champions League final as a right-back.
Apart from Akanji, Galatasaray is also interested in other Manchester City players, namely goalkeeper Ederson - whose future at Etihad has begun to be a question mark.
Manchester City wants to keep the Brazilian, but will allow him to leave if Ederson gives a signal he wants to leave for the club.
Ederson was not included in the squad's 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, August 16, 2025, due to illness. James Trafford, who was re-signed from Burnley this summer, started to replace him.
If Manchester City loses Ederson, they might turn their attention to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian has become available after his position as lead goalkeeper Paris Saint-Germain was replaced by Lucas Chevalier.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray has another option if the deal for Ederson does not materialize.
They have also expressed interest in Diogo Costa from FC Porto and Yann Sommer (Inter Milan).
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