Manchester United are trying to seduce Manuel Akanji into a summer move to England, assures BILD† The 26-year-old center defender of Borussia Dortmund has rejected an extension proposal from his own club and will run out of his contract in mid-2023. United may be looking for a replacement for Harry Maguire, who again failed to convince against Atlético Madrid (1-1) on Wednesday.
Dortmund is very satisfied with Akanji, who was taken away from FC Basel in January 2018 for 21.5 million euros. The mandekker has been almost undisputed in the starting line-up since his arrival and can therefore sign an improved contract. Dortmund did according to BILD a salary proposal of eight million euros per year, an improvement of three million euros per season compared to his current contract.
Goalll Atleti!!!! †
Already after 6 minutes Joao Felix heads the Madrilenen to 1-0 against Man United ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #ATMMUN pic.twitter.com/ieY1jZ87ip
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) February 23, 2022
Akanji has indicated to his employer that he is open to an extension, but only against a doubling of his current salary: ten million euros per year. The Swiss wants to be among the absolute top earners of BVB to belong. According to the German newspaper, Marco Reus is the top earner at the club for twelve million euros per season, while star player Erling Braut Haaland currently has to make do with eight million euros per annum. The latter could, by the way, double his salary – reported BILD recently though – but seems to be going to choose a transfer to the European top.
At Manchester United the possibilities are a lot bigger than in Dortmund. The English superpower, who is having a disappointing season, has reportedly informed Akanji informally that he has a four-year contract of no less than 15 million euros per year; a very tempting offer for the centre-back. Because Dortmund will want to prevent a transfer-free departure, a transfer seems to be in the making.
Akanji should give United’s defense a new impulse. Captain Harry Maguire cannot deliver what is expected of him this season and is under heavy fire at Old Trafford. That came to a new high on Wednesday, when Maguire let his direct opponent João Félix run against Atlético Madrid. The attacker was therefore able to head in the opening goal in free position. United could use reinforcements in the back anyway, also because Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are likely to leave.