Enlarge image
Manuel Akanji (left) in a duel with City's Kevin De Bruyne - as a "Citizen" he will meet his former club BVB in the Champions League
Photo: IMAGO/Maik Hölter/TEAM2sportphoto / IMAGO/Team 2
+++ FIX +++
Dortmund sells Akanji to Manchester City
After four and a half years, Manuel Akanji is leaving BVB for England.
The Swiss national player has signed a contract with Manchester City until 2027. According to »The Athletic«, the transfer fee should be around 18 million euros and increase to up to 20 million euros through bonus payments.
Akanji may not have been the first choice for Manchester City, but it was a lucrative offer.
Akanji had depressed his market price himself, having made no secret of wanting to switch since the start of the season.
He had informed Borussia Dortmund early on that he did not want to extend his contract, which expired in 2023.
Instead of a salary of 5 to 6 million euros at BVB, Akanji is to receive 8 to 11 million euros a year at City in the future - making him the highest-paid Swiss footballer.
The undisputed regular player last season, the 27-year-old has yet to play a game for Borussia Dortmund, who are relying on a completely renewed central defense with Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle.
For Akanji, this at least fulfills the dream of playing in the city of Manchester, albeit differently than dreamed of: “My favorite club has been Manchester United since I was a child.
I would like to play there one day," Akanji said in an interview with the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" in 2018.
Gakpo cancels Leeds and stays in Eindhoven
According to consistent Dutch and English media reports, attacking player Cody Gakpo has decided to remain at PSV Eindhoven.
Most recently, Leeds United and FC Southampton from the Premier League vied for the Dutch international.
Extraordinary: According to »Voetbalprimeur.nl«, the technical director of Leeds United, Victor Orta, is said to have already presented his 40 million euro offer in Eindhoven and wanted to take Gakpo with him on the return flight.
He obviously changed his mind at the last minute.
Bond coach Louis van Gaal, among others, is said to have advised him to stay with the World Cup in mind.
+++ RUMOR +++
Schalke wants to sign Karaman from Beşiktaş
On the last day of the transfer window, Schalke 04 plans to step up their attack again: Kenan Karaman, currently in the service of Beşiktaş Istanbul, is on his way to Gelsenkirchen.
The Turkish media report unanimously.
The contract of the Turkish-German attacker at Beşiktaş was therefore canceled by mutual agreement.
The 28-year-old played in the Bundesliga for TSG Hoffenheim, Hannover 96 and Fortuna Dusseldorf and is now supposed to heat up the competition with the Royal Blues.
The 31-cap Turkey international made 35 appearances for Beşiktaş, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
see/dpa/sid