Inter could target Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji as their final defensive signing of the summer if the asking price for him his to drop from €20 million.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the Nerazzurri are keeping an eye on the 26-year-old’s situation and could invest in him for the right price, with the alternative being Francesco Acerbi.

Inter are still aiming for one more signing to complete their defensive depth and replace the departed Andrea Ranocchia as an out-and-out central defender to back up Stefan de Vrij.

Lazio’s Acerbi remains on their radar as a low-cost possibility for late in the window, whilst at the other end of the experience spectrum academy graduate Alessandro Fontanarossa could be relied upon within the first team.

However, depending on how much the owners would be willing to invest, Dortmund’s Akanji represents a serious target as the window goes on.

The Swiss international was not included in the Schwarzgelben’s squad for their Bundesliga opener against Bayer Leverkusen, with the German side clearly hoping to cash in on a sale this summer rather than lose him for free next summer now that he has confirmed he won’t extend his deal past the end of June 2023.

For the moment, Dortmund are still valuing Akanji at €20 million, a fee that Inter wouldn’t be ready to pay, but the Nerazzurri will wait and see whether this price tag drops as the transfer window inches towards closing.

If the Schwarzgelben do decide to accept a lower offer for the Swiss international late on in the transfer window to avoid him going into the final year of his contract, Inter would be ready to move.