Manuel Akanji transfer: Man City fee explained, shirt number revealed & what defender will bring

We have all the main information on Manchester City’s latest summer signing.
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Manuel Akanji signed for Manchester City on transfer deadline day, bringing their summer incomings up to five.

Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Stefan Ortega-Moreno and Sergio Gomez were the Blues’ first four recruits of the window, along with Julian Alvarez who moved to Manchester this summer after a deal with River Plate was agreed in January.

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Upon completing his move to the Etihad, Akanji said: “I am delighted to be here and can’t wait to get started.

“City have been one of the best teams in Europe over the last few seasons. They are brilliant to watch, play an exciting brand of football and compete for trophies year in, year out, so coming here feels like the perfect next step in my career.”

Here’s all the main information about Akanji’s switch from Borussia Dortmund.

Manuel Akanji spent four years at Borussia Dortmund. Credit: Getty.Manuel Akanji spent four years at Borussia Dortmund. Credit: Getty.
Manuel Akanji spent four years at Borussia Dortmund. Credit: Getty.

How much did Man City pay for Akanji?

ManchesterWorld have been told the Premier league champions paid £15m for the centre-back, plus add-ons.

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Sky Sports reported earlier in the week those add-ons are around £1.7m, which could bring the total cost to a figure just shy of £17m.

Which shirt number will Akanji wear?

The Swiss international has been handed the number 25 shirt, a jersey previously worn by ex-City captain Fernandinho.

Joe Hart, Emmanuel Adebayor and Wayne Bridge also occupied the shirt number in the last 15 years at City.

Akanji will wear the No.25 shirt. Credit: Manchester City.Akanji will wear the No.25 shirt. Credit: Manchester City.
Akanji will wear the No.25 shirt. Credit: Manchester City.

What will Akanji bring to Man City?

Speaking to City’s website, Akanji hinted he will play in a similar manner to City’s current centre-backs, and will look to get on the ball and help build attacks.

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“It’s difficult to describe yourself,” he said. “I’m a defender who likes to play from the back as well, get involved in the build-up, a fast player and physically strong.

“I love the way Manchester City plays,” Akanji added. “I watch a lot of Premier League and obviously a lot of Manchester City games, because they have been champions many times in recent years. I really like the football style the team plays and I think I can fit perfectly in that style.”

Perhaps, most pertinently, the 27-year-old will add further defensive reinforcements. The injuries of Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake have significantly weakened City, with the Blues having just two fit centre-backs for their last two games.

Akanji’s arrival means Pep Guardiola will now have five senior centre-backs to choose from, and may indicate John Stones and Ake could spend more time at full-back, positions they both played at times last season.