Manuel Akanji: I never said I wanted to leave Borussia Dortmund at all costs

Manuel Akanji has revealed that he was never desperate to leave Borussia Dortmund, adding that his words were often misinterpreted.

Manuel Akanji sealed a move away from Borussia Dortmund on transfer deadline day, joining Manchester City on a five year contract. The Switzerland international has made an impressive start to life with the defending English Premier League champions. But he has now revealed that he wasn’t looking to leave BVB at all costs this summer.

In an interview with 20minuten, Akanji said that he told the BVB bosses that he would like to take the next step in his career if possible. However, he believes that his statements were often misinterpreted.

"“I never said I wanted to make a move at all costs,” Akanji said. “I said I’d like to take the next step if it’s possible. That was often misinterpreted.”“I don’t want to talk about it too much anymore. There are also some things that don’t need to be made public. It’s a chapter that I’d like to put behind me now.”"

There was plenty of speculation regarding Akanji’s future in the summer, with some reports claiming that his salary demands thwarted negotiations with interested clubs. The defender was frozen out by Borussia Dortmund at the start of the season, with those in charge wanting to sell him in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl revealed in May that Manuel Akanji had rejected the club’s offer to extend his contract as he was looking for a new challenge. The Black and Yellows then moved quickly to replace him by signing Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle.

For a while, it looked like Akanji may not get his move away from Borussia Dortmund. But Manchester City made a bid to sign him towards the end of the transfer window, and he ended up joining Pep Guardiola’s side for a fee in the region of 18 million euros.