Manchester City are reportedly 'close' to agreeing a deal for Dortmund star

Manchester City's summer spending might not be over just yet, as according to a new report, the Premier League champions are 'close' to agreeing a deal to sign a new Centre-back.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, one of the most reliable journalists when it comes to transfers, City are edging closer to agreeing a fee with Borussia Dortmund for Swiss defender Manuel Akanji.

The 27-year-old, who has been at the Bundesliga club since 2018, could leave for as little as £17.5 million, as he is out of contract next summer.

Unsurprisingly, several Premier League clubs have been linked with Akanji, but if The Athletic is to be believed, it is Man City who currently lead the race for the talented defender's signature.

Ornstein claims that "negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing over a €17.5million deal and there is optimism an accord will be reached."

City boss Pep Guardiola was asked on Tuesday (August 30th) if he could categorically say that the club were done in the transfer market, to which he replied: “I don’t know what will happen."

The club have four senior centre-backs in their squad already, but Aymeric Laporte has yet to make an appearance this season due to injury. Elsewhere, England international John Stones has struggled for form so far season, while Nathan Ake is also facing a spell on the sidelines.

Having played at a World Cup Finals for his country, and racked up 119 appearances for BVB, Akanji certainly isn't short on big game experience.

However, this season the former Basel man has found himself knocked down the pecking order, partially thanks to the arrivals of Niklas Sule from Bayern, and Nico Schlotterbeck from Freiburg. At the time of writing, he is yet to start for Dortmund this season.

The player's refusal to pen a new deal at BVB had previously alerted the attention of Leicester City - according to numerous reports.

But with the other City now making the first move, Manchester looks set to be Akanji's next destination after four years at the Westfalenstadion.

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