Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji is the main target of Inter CEO Beppe Marotta and Sporting Director Piero Ausilio to strengthen the backline following the departure of Andrea Ranocchia.
This according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, who report that the Nerazzurri directors have been fans of the Swiss international for some time and feel that he is the ideal profile to reinforce in defense if they can find a way to make a deal for him without spending much.
Inter have been linked with Akanji during this summer’s transfer window, but in truth their interest goes back further than that, and the directors have seen the 26-year-old as a player who could slot into the back three in past transfer windows as well.
Despite Akanji’s quality and the fact that he is theoretically only just heading into his prime aged 26 he could be available for a bargain fee given his contract situation.
The Nerazzurri are in talks with Akanji’s representatives, whilst they are also trying to find the right formula for a deal with Dortmund, and could see if the Schwarzgelben will extend the defender’s contract and then send him out on loan.