Manchester City's Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake. (REUTERS)
Manchester City couldn’t have asked for a stronger start to their 2025/26 Premier League campaign, sweeping Wolverhampton Wanderers aside in a dominant 4-0 victory.
Erling Haaland picked up where he left off with a trademark brace, but it was new signing Tijjani Reijnders who stole the headlines. The Dutch midfielder looked every bit the complete package, scoring one, assisting another and dictating play in the final third throughout.
At the other end, City were just as assured. James Trafford shone on his Premier League debut with a string of sharp saves, while Ruben Dias and John Stones looked revitalised, anchoring the backline with a solidity that was missing at times last season.
Perhaps it is because of that defensive resurgence that City now appear willing to sanction the exit of one of their established stars.
City Open to Akanji Leaving
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are open to the possibility of selling Manuel Akanji following interest from Turkish champions Galatasaray.
Romano reports that Galatasaray, who will be playing in this season’s Champions League after winning the Super Lig title in 2024/25, have formally approached City over the 28-year-old and are also in discussions with the defender’s representatives.
A deal is said to hinge on Akanji’s own decision, with City not standing in his way if he opts to move.
Akanji signed for the Premier League giants in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund and has since racked up close to 150 appearances, playing a vital role in their historic quintuple-winning 2022/23 campaign. Pep Guardiola once even labelled him a “perfect” defender for his intelligence and versatility.
But the Switzerland international was an unused substitute in City’s win over Wolves — a possible sign that his importance in the squad is starting to wane.
Should he depart, it would mark the end of a highly successful chapter at the Etihad, though City’s new defensive depth means Guardiola is unlikely to lose too much sleep.
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