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Guardiola says Man City injuries prompted deadline day deal for Nigerian-born Akanji

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Manuel Obafemi Akanji has Swiss mother and a Nigerian father

Manchester City’s recent injury problems at the heart of their defence and a hectic schedule prompted them to seal a transfer deadline day deal for Swiss international centre back Manuel Akanji, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

City signed the 27-year-old from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract for a fee of around 15 million pounds ($17.32 million), making him their fifth signing of the transfer window which closed on Thursday.

Guardiola’s side will be without Aymeric Laporte for another month as he recovers from knee surgery while his fellow defender Nathan Ake is fit again after overcoming a muscle injury.

“We had four incredible centre backs… Aymeric had a tough injury, he’s getting better but still one month or half… Nathan had some concerns,” Guardiola told reporters before Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.


Sept 2 (Reuters) – Manchester City’s recent injury problems at the heart of their defence and a hectic schedule prompted them to seal a transfer deadline day deal for Swiss international centre back Manuel Akanji, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

City signed the 27-year-old from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract for a fee of around 15 million pounds ($17.32 million), making him their fifth signing of the transfer window which closed on Thursday.

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Guardiola’s side will be without Aymeric Laporte for another month as he recovers from knee surgery while his fellow defender Nathan Ake is fit again after overcoming a muscle injury.

“We had four incredible centre backs… Aymeric had a tough injury, he’s getting better but still one month or half… Nathan had some concerns,” Guardiola told reporters before Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

“We couldn’t live with just two centre backs with this schedule. We had an opportunity to bring a player with one year left on his contract, incredibly experienced.

“He is perfect for what we need… good in the build-up. We felt it versus Dortmund. (We are) pleased he’s here.”

Guardiola said he will not force Laporte into action before the next international break later this month.

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“One month ago we said September or October. Early October. He’ll be ready after the international break,” the Spaniard said.

“We won’t force it. Knee is a tough injury.”

City are second in the table with 13 points from five games, two points behind Arsenal who have made a perfect start.

Reuters

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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