Report: Arsenal 'seriously interested' in 'complete' defender who's been likened to Kompany

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Arsenal have been ‘seriously interested’ in Manuel Akanji, according to BILD, via Sport Witness.

However, the Gunners are reportedly hesitating over making a move for the Borussia Dortmund defender.

At present, Arsenal aren’t particularly desperate to sign new centre-backs.

Mikel Arteta has Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben Holding in his ranks.

And William Saliba will be returning to the Emirates Stadium ahead of next season.

However, it looks as though Arteta may still be looking to strengthen in that position.

And over the past few weeks, there have been reports claiming Arsenal are eyeing Akanji.

Dortmund have reportedly told the 26-year-oldhe can leave the Westfalenstadion in this window, for €30m (£25.5m).

The Bundesliga side has already confirmed the signings of Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck ahead of next season.

Indeed, Akanji himself reportedly wants to leave.

Arsenal unwilling to take risk?

But according to BILD, there’s a serious ‘deterrent’ regarding Akanji – his fitness.

The player has been struggling with knee problems and had to undergo meniscus surgery in January.

Akanji then missed the Nations League with further pain in the same area.

That has proved to be a ‘deterrent effect on new employers’, such as Arsenal.

And despite the Gunners being ‘seriously interested’ in Akanji, they don’t seem willing to take the risk.

Akanji has made over 150 appearances in four-and-a-half years in Dortmund.

Michael Zorc has described him as a “pretty complete” defender.

And the Bundesliga website has compared his style of play to that of Vincent Kompany.

However, when a player has a recent history of injury, it’s understandable that clubs may be hesitant to sign him.

Dortmund may have to drop their asking price and accept that they’ll struggle to sell him for £25.5m.