Borussia Dortmund actually wants to sell Manuel Akanji this summer. At the start of the Bundesliga, the Swiss central defender could still play an important role at BVB.
The fact that Manuel Akanji will be seen again in the Borussia Dortmund jersey was no longer to be expected.
Before BVB’s Bundesliga opener against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday (6:30 p.m.), however, the starting position in defense has changed so much that the 27-year-old could put on his black and yellow work clothes again.
As “picture” reported on Tuesday, head coach Edin Terzic is now considering calling up Akanji for the match-day squad for the match with the Werkself – provided the defense problems get worse by the weekend.
Personnel bottleneck in the BVB defense
The absence of new signing Niklas Süle, who will probably be out for a few weeks due to a thigh injury suffered in the DFB Cup game, is expected to be made up for by veteran Mats Hummels. Nico Schlotterbeck is also set in the defense center.
Behind it, however, BVB lacks the necessary squad depth.
All-rounder Emre Can would be an alternative. However, the 28-year-old feels more comfortable in central midfield.
In addition, there are only two young inexperienced options available in 18-year-old Soumaila Coulibaly and Antonius Papadopoulos from the in-house U23.
Akanji had not wanted to extend his contract with BVB, which was valid until 2023, whereupon the Revierklub strengthened with Süle and Schlotterbeck.
BVB dependent on the sale of Manuel Akanji
A new club has not been found for the 119-time Bundesliga player since then. Until the transfer deadline on September 1, Borussia is gradually running out of time. Especially since the runner-up is actually dependent on the transfer fee from the Akanji sale and had hoped for solvent interested parties from the English Premier League.
Terzic had allowed Akanji to train during the summer preparations, but did not call him into the squad in the friendlies or in the DFB Cup against 1860 Munich.
It is “important”, according to the head coach, “that we use the boys who will definitely be with us in the coming season”.