Man City defender set for Galatasaray

Manuel Akanji has been given the green light to make a transfer to Turkish giants Galatasaray in a deal worth around £7.5 million. The Swiss international defender had been informed at the beginning of the summer that he would be free to leave the Etihad Stadium, and three Turkish teams were said to be in the race to sign the centre-back.

30-year-old Akanji has been an important member of Pep Guardiola's squad in recent years, but the Spanish manager has decided to change his defence in favour of a new look, and the Swiss will be allowed to move to Turkey.

Akanji arrived at City in 2022 from Dortmund, playing 85 times in the Premier League and returning two goals. Prior to his spell in the Bundesliga, he played in his homeland for Winterthur and FC Basel.

The defender will be remembered for his great performances helping City to win the league in 2022-23 and 2023-24, as well as guiding the club to an FA Cup win in 2022-23, and the famous Champions League victory in 2022-23.