Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham open talks to sign £180k/wk star after Xavi Simons agreement
The summer transfer window is racing toward its conclusion, and Tottenham Hotspur are showing no signs of slowing down.
After a blistering start to the Premier League season with back-to-back wins over Burnley and Manchester City without conceding a single goal manager Thomas Frank is determined to strengthen his squad even further.
While the club has already made significant moves, including the record-breaking signing of Xavi Simons, the focus has now expanded to reinforce the defensive line, with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji emerging as a surprising and strategic target.
According to reliable sources, Tottenham have opened formal talks with Manchester City over a potential deal for the Swiss international defender.
The proposed transfer fee is believed to be in the region of £15 million, a figure that represents excellent value for a player of Akanji’s experience and quality.
At 30 years old, he brings a wealth of knowledge from his time at the highest level, including multiple Premier League titles and Champions League experience during his tenure at the Etihad.
The move makes sense for all parties involved. For Manchester City, Akanji has found himself down the pecking order this season.
With Pep Guardiola favoring defensive options like John Stones, Rúben Dias, Nathan Aké, Joško Gvardiol, and even young prospect Abdukodir Khusanov, opportunities for Akanji have become limited.
A transfer would allow City to recoup a fee for a player who is no longer a regular starter while also freeing up space and resources within the squad.
For Tottenham, the interest in Akanji is a clear indication of their pragmatic and ambitious approach under Thomas Frank. While the team’s defense has looked solid in the early games, the long Premier League season coupled with Champions League commitments demands depth and quality across the entire squad.
Akanji’s versatility is a major asset; he is comfortable playing as a central defender in a back four or three, and he can even fill in at full-back if needed.
His composure on the ball, aerial ability, and reading of the game would make him an ideal fit for Frank’s system, which emphasizes structure, possession, and proactive defending.
This pursuit is happening alongside Tottenham’s continued efforts to sign another attacking player—Manchester City’s exciting winger Savinho.
Despite having an initial bid rejected, Spurs have not given up, especially as the player himself is keen on the move in search of more regular playing time ahead of the World Cup.
Adding both Akanji and Savinho would represent a stunning end to the window, addressing key needs in both defense and attack.
However, Tottenham are not without competition for Akanji’s signature. AC Milan have also entered talks with both the player and Manchester City, hoping to bring him to Serie A.
As of now, no agreement has been reached between any of the parties, leaving the door open for Spurs to make their move.
With the deadline fast approaching, Daniel Levy and the Tottenham hierarchy are working tirelessly to get these deals over the line.
The potential addition of Manuel Akanji would not only provide immediate defensive reinforcement but also send a powerful message that Tottenham are building a squad capable of challenging on all fronts this season.