‘He’s unreal’: £15m Premier League defender hailed after Arsenal were offered chance to sign him

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Arsenal were offered Manuel Akanji this summer and the defender is now earning praise after joining Manchester City.

Akanji has been highly rated ever since emerging though the Basel ranks.

It’s easy to forget that Liverpool wanted Akanji back in 2017 and were considering him as an alternative to Virgil van Dijk before the Dutchman completed his move to Anfield.

Akanji ended up at Borussia Dortmund and endured an up-and-down time in Germany before being sold on this summer.

Arsenal were offered Manuel Akanji

It was clear for some time that Dortmund were happy for Akanji to move on.

Firstly, Dortmund secured two new centre backs of their own by signing German international duo Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck.

Then, Akanji was offered to Arsenal after the Swiss defender had been told that he was allowed to leave the Bundesliga club.

Akanji’s asking price at the time was around £21million and Arsenal decided not to take up that offer.

A move to sign another right-footed defender just didn’t make sense for Arsenal at the time.

Ben White, William Saliba and Rob Holding are all at Mikel Arteta’s disposal and a left-footer – like Lisandro Martinez, who Arsenal targeted – made much more sense.

There was real surprise late in the window though as Akanji did make a Premier League move, joining Manchester City for £15million – a reduction on the price Arsenal were quoted.

Akanji has impressed in three outings for City and was the star of the show for Switzerland against Spain on Saturday, bagging a goal and an assist.

Now competing with Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Nathan Ake, Akanji was a shock signing for City but appears to be making a great start.

City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis – currently on loan at Burnley – has now told The Times that it was ‘difficult’ to see City signing Akanji.

Harwood-Bellis did though add that Akanji is ‘unreal’ having been impressed with his City performances so far.

“Obviously it is difficult seeing them sign another centre half but if you see the quality of the centre half they have signed it is a difficult one,” said Harwood-Bellis. “He is unreal along with the other ones. Everyone knows it is difficult but, to be fair, I just focus on what I have to do with Burnley and hopefully get Burnley promoted,” he added.

Arsenal will feel comfortable with their defenders, especially with Saliba emerging as Premier League star, but City will be delighted that the Gunners didn’t take up that offer this summer.