City Open to Letting “Perfect” Defender Leave

Manchester Metropolis couldn’t have requested for a stronger begin to their 2025/26 Premier League marketing campaign, sweeping Wolverhampton Wanderers apart in a dominant 4-0 victory.

Erling Haaland picked up the place he left off with a trademark brace, however it was new signing Tijjani Reijnders who stole the headlines. The Dutch midfielder appeared each bit the entire package deal, scoring one, helping one other and dictating play within the last third all through.

On the different finish, Metropolis had been simply as assured. James Trafford shone on his Premier League debut with a string of sharp saves, whereas Ruben Dias and John Stones appeared revitalised, anchoring the backline with a solidity that was lacking at occasions final season.

Maybe it’s due to that defensive resurgence that Metropolis now seem prepared to sanction the exit of considered one of their established stars.

Metropolis Open to Akanji Leaving

In line with switch professional Fabrizio Romano, Manchester Metropolis are open to the opportunity of promoting Manuel Akanji following curiosity from Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Romano experiences that Galatasaray, who will likely be taking part in on this season’s Champions League after profitable the Tremendous Lig title in 2024/25, have formally approached Metropolis over the 28-year-old and are additionally in discussions with the defender’s representatives.

A deal is claimed to hinge on Akanji’s personal choice, with Metropolis not standing in his manner if he opts to maneuver.

Akanji signed for the Premier League giants in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund and has since racked up near 150 appearances, taking part in a significant function of their historic quintuple-winning 2022/23 marketing campaign. Pep Guardiola as soon as even labelled him a “excellent” defender for his intelligence and flexibility.

However the Switzerland worldwide was an unused substitute in Metropolis’s win over Wolves — a doable signal that his significance within the squad is beginning to wane.

Ought to he depart, it could mark the tip of a extremely profitable chapter on the Etihad, although Metropolis’s new defensive depth means Guardiola is unlikely to lose an excessive amount of sleep.