"It happened all of a sudden" - Manuel Akanji explains how Manchester City transfer unfolded

Manchester City’s deadline signing Manuel Akanji has opened up on the crazy few days revolving around his move from Borussia Dortmund. 

The rumours suggesting that City were in for the Dortmund centre-back came as a surprise to many.

Particularly given the fact that City boss Pep Guardiola had hinted at the club not making any more signings after they wrapped up the transfer of Sergio Gomez from RSC Anderlecht. 

However, a small flurry of injuries to numerous defenders perhaps forced the hand of the Etihad hierarchy, and they quickly completed the deal for the 27-year-old for a reported fee of around €17 million. 

Within days of the defender putting pen to paper, and the transfer window shutting, the Swiss international was thrown into the starting eleven in the Blues’ opening UEFA Champions League group stage match against Sevilla - which City was triumphant by an emphatic 4-0 scoreline. 

Erling Haaland marked his Champions League debut for the club with a brace, while Phil Foden and Ruben Dias were also on the scoresheet.

Opening up on the transfer, Akanji revealed how quickly the deal went through, and the crazy days subsequent. 

“The process to move to City started the weekend before the transfer deadline.” Akanji told The Athletic. “In a couple of days, it all went through — that’s why none of the media knew, because it happened all of a sudden. I’m happy it happened and I’m here now with this team.”

To compound the chaotic situation, Akanji’s personal life was equally as hectic in the days after signing his City contract. 

“It happened extremely quickly,” the 27-year-old told Swiss outlet Blick. 

“I flew to Manchester on Tuesday, did my medical check-up on Wednesday and the transfer was official on Thursday. 

“I flew back to Switzerland, my son was born, and I flew back to Manchester on Sunday. “Then on Monday the flight to Spain, and suddenly on Tuesday I played against Sevilla in the Champions League from the start.”

Akanji was praised for his debut performance against the Spanish club, looking far from a newbie in a high-quality City team.

The defender’s addition will be a huge boost to Pep Guardiola and the City squad, who face a jam-packed fixture list all the way through the New Year. 

Nathan Ake and John Stones have both had their starts to the campaign plagued by injury, while Guardiola has also been without Aymeric Laporte.

Laporte, who returned to training on Wednesday, has missed the start of the season due to a knee injury sustained at the backend of the last campaign.

With their sights set on a staggering third consecutive Premier League title, Guardiola will be forced to utilise all of his squad.