Manuel Akanji Rejects AC Milan Contract: Defender Prefers Champions League Football

Manuel Akanji has turned down AC Milan’s contract offer. The player wants to stay at the top level of European competition.

WHAT HAPPENED?

AC Milan need a central defender before the transfer window closes. The club started talks with Manchester City and made Akanji their main target. Discussions have reportedly been positive, as the clubs are close to a transfer fee of around €15-17 million. However, Akanji’s salary demands are too high for Milan, and the player rejected Milan’s initial contract offer. The Swiss centre-back is not convinced by Milan’s current sporting project, mainly as they cannot offer Champions League football. Milan hope to convince him by offering him a leading role in their new-look defence, but the transfer window is closing soon.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR MILAN AND AKANJI

AC Milan finished eighth in Serie A last season, missing out on European competitions. Missing out on Europe’s top competition has put the club at a disadvantage both financially and in attracting elite players. Akanji, 30, played more than 35 matches for Manchester City across all competitions last season, helping them in the Premier League and Champions League. Milan’s poor defence in the recent opening loss against Cremonese highlighted their need for reinforcements. Meanwhile, Akanji is attracting interest from Premier League club Crystal Palace, which could offer him the chance to stay in England and play more minutes. Reports indicate that Milan’s salary offer fell short of Akanji’s current wages in Manchester, making the possible move even more difficult.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MILAN AND AKANJI?

AC Milan face Genoa in Serie A this weekend, currently sitting 12th after their disappointing opening draw, while Genoa are 9th with one point as well. The team remains three points behind the early leaders. The transfer window closes on Monday night, leaving Milan with little time to secure a deal or look for alternatives. If an agreement is not reached with Akanji, Milan may switch targets; with Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior being a possible backup, though he is close to joining Porto. Akanji, for his part, is weighing his Champions League ambitions and potential offers from other clubs, including Premier League sides, as the final hours of the transfer window approach.