Tottenham make an opening offer for Manuel Akanji, two-horse race is developing

10 hours ago 4

Tottenham are battling a Serie A side for the signature of Manuel Akanji, and the Lilywhites have now launched an offer for the Manchester City star.

According to reports, Spurs want to add a centre-back to their squad before Monday’s transfer deadline after greenlighting Luka Vuskovic’s loan move to Hamburg.

It was revealed a couple of days ago by Fabrizio Romano that Tottenham had made an approach for Manuel Akanji, but the journalist added that AC Milan were also on the 30-year-old’s trail.

It looked like Tottenham Hotspur had fallen behind in the race for the centre-back as Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Friday that Milan had agreed personal terms with the Man City man.

However, a new update has now claimed that Spurs are currently ahead in the race for the Swiss international.

Tottenham have outbid AC Milan for Manuel Akanji

This update comes from Sky Italia, who claim that the Switzerland international remains Milan’s number one target.

It is revealed that the Serie A side have launched a €15m (£13m) offer for the 30-year-old and are expecting a response today.

However, the report says that Tottenham have now responded with an offer of their own worth €20m (£17.3m) for the former Borussia Dortmund man.

The outlet explains that Akanji is keen on playing Champions League football and would prefer to remain in England, thus handing Spurs the upper hand over the Italian side in the transfer race.

Milan admit landing Akanji will prove challenging

Sky Italia say that Tottenham’s interest in the Man City star makes the operation ‘difficult’ for the Rossoneri.

The outlet also spoke to Milan sporting director Igli Tare, who confirmed the club’s interest in Akanji but admitted that the deal is not an easy one.

He told the publication: “This change in formation in the last few days has put us in a bit of trouble. In the next four or five days, we need to try to bring home an experienced player like Akanji: he can play for AC Milan. But it’s not easy.”