Man City’s Transfer Activity Heats Up as Akanji Nears Exit and Real Madrid Plots Haaland Bid
Manchester City’s transfer window shows no signs of slowing down, with reports confirming that a deal has been struck for the potential departure of defender Manuel Akanji. Meanwhile, Real Madrid is reportedly laying the groundwork for a sensational summer 2026 swap involving Erling Haaland and Vinícius Júnior.
Akanji Set for Galatasaray Switch Amid City’s Active Transfer Window
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester City and Galatasaray have reached a club-to-club agreement for Swiss international Manuel Akanji. The Turkish side is now preparing a formal offer to the player, which could finalize the move in the coming days.
According to Romano, the two clubs have settled on a fee in the region of £15 million, although Akanji himself has yet to respond to the potential switch. Galatasaray is expected to present their personal terms within 24 hours, aiming to secure the deal before the transfer window closes.
City Rebuilding with New Faces – and a Potential Goalkeeper Shake-Up
Manchester City has already splashed around £150 million this summer, bringing in the likes of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford, Sverre Nypan, and Marcu Bettinelli. On the outgoing side, James McAtee, Yan Couto, and Máximo Perrone have departed, raising roughly £50 million.
City kicked off their Premier League campaign in dominant fashion, beating Wolves 4-0 on opening day. Despite the strong start, more movement is expected at the Etihad before the window slams shut.
One area that could see significant change is between the posts. Galatasaray’s pursuit of Ederson has intensified, and should the Brazilian depart, City are reportedly positioning themselves as frontrunners to sign Gianluigi Donnarummafrom Paris Saint-Germain.
Real Madrid Plotting a 2026 Power Play for Erling Haaland
While Manchester City navigates its immediate transfer dealings, long-term speculation continues to swirl around superstar striker Erling Haaland. Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is strategizing a major move to bring Haaland to the Santiago Bernabéu — possibly involving Vinícius Júnior in a blockbuster swap deal.
Vinícius’ future at Madrid has come into question amid stalled contract negotiations, and Pérez reportedly sees this uncertainty as an opportunity to approach City. The idea: offer Vinícius as part of a deal to lure Haaland in the summer of 2026.
Pérez is said to be keen on pairing Kylian Mbappé and Haaland — creating a superstar duo capable of dominating European football for years to come. Sources close to Haaland have hinted at his openness to the move, with the player reportedly intrigued by the idea of donning the famous white shirt.
What’s Next?
While no concrete negotiations have begun regarding Haaland, the potential swap involving Vinícius Júnior highlights Real Madrid’s ambitious long-term vision. In the short term, all eyes will be on whether Galatasaray can seal the deal for Akanji — and whether City will make a decisive move for Donnarumma.
