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Topics: Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Borussia Dortmund
Harry Winters
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Borussia Dortmund
Manchester City are reportedly close to agreeing their sixth signing of the summer.
The Premier League Champions, who have added Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez and Stefan Ortega to their squad already this summer, are on course to complete another deal before the close of the transfer window.
Manchester City are currently struggling in central defence, with both Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte sidelined due to injury.
Laporte is continuing to recover from an injury sustained at the backend of last season, while Ake was forced off during the Sky Blues' recent 3-3 draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park.
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On Tuesday, Pep Guardiola refused to rule out any further signings, saying during his press conference: "I don't know what will happen."
Amid continued injury problems at centre-back and an incredibly hectic fixture schedule, The Athletic report that Manchester City are close to signing Manuel Akanji as cover.
David Ornstein and Pol Ballus claim that the Premier League Champions are close to an agreement for the 27 year-old.
The Athletic further report that negotiations are ongoing over a €17.5 million deal, with optimism that an agreement will be reached.
The Swiss defender has made over 100 Bundesliga appearances, though is yet to feature for Borussia Dortmund this season.
Akanji has one-year remaining on his current contract, having made 36 appearances for Dortmund last season.
The 27 year-old made 26 Bundesliga appearances as well featuring in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League last season.
Akanji moved to Borussia Dortmund from Basel in 2018.
Should City sign the Swiss centre-back then it would be the Blues' second addition from Dortmund this summer.
In June, the Sky Blues successfully beat the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to the signature of Erling Haaland.
Haaland has scored six goals in his first four Premier League appearances, scoring a hat-trick against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Coincidentally, City face Dortmund twice in the next three months.
The two European heavyweights have been paired alongside each other in the Champions League Group Stages, having previously met in the quarter-finals in 2021.
Sevilla and FC Copenhagen make up Group G, with City travelling to Spain next week to kick off their latest European campaign.
Akanji is set to sign a contract with the Premier League Champions until 2027, and earn €11 million a year, according to journalist Patrick Berger.