Arsenal reject chance to sign Borussia Dortmund star in £21m transfer deal

Arsenal are being encouraged to sign Borussia Dortmund centre-back Manuel Akanji this summer but have declined the offer.

According to The Sun, Akanji has been told he can leave Dortmund and his representatives are earmarking a move to Arsenal.

However, the report goes on to say that, although the Swiss star is available for just £21million, he is unlikely to make the switch to the Emirates with Mikel Arteta seeking a left-footed centre-back to act as cover for Gabriel Magalhaes.

The north London side already have Ben White and Rob Holding on the right side of central defence and, with William Saliba returning from his loan at Marseille, possess strength in depth in the position.

Meanwhile, Pablo Mari is reportedly close to an exit on a permanent deal to Udinese which magnifies Arteta’s need for a left-footed defender.

But the Spaniard will have to manage his transfer kitty this summer, with a new striker, central-midfielder and left-back also believed to be on his list of targets.

Speaking last month, Arteta indicated that he will aim to be prudent in the market owing to the club’s financial situation.

He said: ‘We are going to have certain resources, not unlimited resources, some resources. And with our resources, we have to play and do what we have to do in the best possible way.

‘We don’t know what the rest will have but obviously it will be challenging because now it is not a top three, it is a top eight, but that is why we have to find a way to do again what we did last summer.’

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