MANCHESTER – Manchester City are set to boost their transfer coffers as Inter Milan prepares to finalize the permanent signing of defender Manuel Akanji.
After a successful loan spell at the San Siro, the Italian giants have communicated their intention to trigger the pre-established purchase clause in the Swiss international’s contract. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the deal is expected to be worth approximately €15 million (£12.5m).
Financial Fair Play Boost for City
The timing of this windfall is perfect for Pep Guardiola’s side. Following the high-profile arrivals of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi, Manchester City is focused on balancing the books to remain compliant with Premier League Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
The board has been looking to offload several squad players and loanees to raise capital, and Akanji’s permanent move represents a significant step toward hitting their sales targets for the fiscal year.
Akanji’s Future at San Siro
Despite not being an undisputed starter under the current Inter management, the 30-year-old Swiss defender has impressed with his reliability and tactical versatility.
Reports suggest that Akanji is settled in Milan and has expressed his desire to remain with the Nerazzurri. While the agreement is virtually sealed, Inter does not plan to finalize the transaction in the January window. Instead, the move is slated for July 2026, allowing the Italian club to structure the payment for the next summer budget.
Since joining the Milanese club, Akanji has proven to be a valuable asset in both Serie A and European competitions, making the €15m fee look like a bargain in today’s inflated market.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
