Man Utd keen on signing 26y/o centre-back, could demand £160k-a-week wages - report

Manchester United are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji during the summer transfer window, SportBild via SportWitness claims.

The Red Devils have experienced a mixed campaign in the Premier League, and they are currently fourth in the standings with 46 points on the board.

They have fared below expectations, and a key concern has been the defence. The club have kept just six clean sheets, conceding 34 goals.

A new centre-back does not appear a priority at the moment, but there is still speculation that they could reinforce the department this summer.

According to SportBild, the club have their sights on pursuing Akanji, who dreams of playing in England amid his ongoing contract standoff.

Dortmund are keen to extend his contract expiring in June next year, but they are reluctant to meet his current wage demands on the table.

The Switzerland international is presently on around £4.17 million per year. He is keen to double his wages (£8.34m) with a renewal.

The Bundesliga outfit have no plans of meeting his requirements. This could pave the way for his summer departure for around £21m.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick was reportedly disappointed with United’s failure to land Niklas Sule on a pre-contract before Dortmund. Akanji now appears as the prime transfer target.

Our view:

Akanji has been a key player for Dortmund at the heart of the defence. He has impressed with his ball-playing ability.

The Swiss has completed 90.4 percent of his passes in Bundesliga this term with an average of over six long balls per game.

Defensively, he has registered a combined tally of three tackles and interceptions per game alongside two clearances and two aerial duels.

At 26, Akanji is at the prime phase of his playing career. He would be a quality addition to the United ranks to provide competition.

Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are presently the central defensive choices available.

Among them, Bailly and Jones appear most likely to head for the exit door amid their lack of regular game time this campaign.

Akanji could come in as the fourth-choice centre-back, but it remains to be seen whether United are willing to meet the demands.

While the transfer fee is reasonable, Akanji would command a £160,000-a-week salary which would make him one of the top 10 earners.

It appears a significant sum for someone potentially coming in as a back-up choice unless the next manager has different plans in mind.

There has been much criticism over Maguire’s position in recent months, but he has continued to receive the full support from Rangnick.

The scenario could change during the summer, but the priority could be given to pursuing a world-class defensive midfielder over a centre-back.

A marquee striker could also be signed in the next transfer window. Edinson Cavani is set to leave while Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer in his prime.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com and WhoScored.com

The post Man Utd keen on signing 26y/o centre-back, could demand £160k-a-week wages - report appeared first on Man Utd News.