”… he openly told us it would not be easy for anyone to have regular playing time, and that was the case. It was not an ideal situation but I was well aware of the competition for places.”
Manchester City has confirmed that Central defender, Manuel Akanji will be leaving Etihad for Inter Milan this summer on loan. The details of the move includes a €2m loan fee and part of salary coverage, and a €15m buy option clause which becomes mandatory if Akanji plays at least 50% of Inter’s games and if they win the Serie A this season.
The decision to leave the English side was prompted by the reduced play time Akanji was getting under Pep Guardiola. In an interview he said, “There were six central defenders in the squad, Pep Guardiola openly told us it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to have regular playing time”. “It was not an ideal situation, but I was well aware of competition for places”. “I can play in any position across a back three, and I have also played in the midfield. I can play different positions, but obviously it is the manager’s choice as to where I play”.
The Swiss defender has expressed joy in his move to Italy and is eager to make his mark and connect with the Inter fans in the first home game they will have at San Siro.
Akanji chose Inter Milan over AC Milan
The Swiss who was also approached by AC Milan decided to settle for their Serie A rivals Inter Milan for some odd reasons:
• lack of Champions League football,
• the need to continue playing at the top level of European football,
• the fact that the first jersey he ever owned was that of Christian Vieri, when he was playing for the club,
• Inter had already tried to sign him three years ago, and
• the fact that his sister’s boyfriend is a big Inter supporter.
Since the move was a spontaneous deadline day transfer, Akanji has not had time to get acquainted with his new teammates but is very confident of how his debut game will be since he had already visited San Siro once during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
