Manuel Akanji has no intention of returning to the Premier League in the near future.
Ahead of Inter Milan’s Champions League clash with Arsenal on Tuesday, which will be shown live on The Pitch Prospect 2, Akanji was asked about the chances of a recall to Manchester City given their defensive crisis.
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Pep Guardiola’s team is thin on the ground in the centre-back department, with Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones all missing.
However, City have added a key reinforcement in the form of England international Marc Guehi, who has signed a five-and-a-half year deal from Crystal Palace.
Will Akanji return to City mid-season?
When asked if he could return to the Etihad Stadium mid-season and strengthen City’s defensive line alongside Guehi, the Swiss star was quick to dismiss such talk.
“The previous question was about whether I would return in the winter and I said no chance,” Akanji said.
“I don’t know what will happen in the summer.
“It’s not just me, we’ll see what happens at the end of the year, but I’m very happy here and I hope it continues like this. We’ll see.”
Could Akanji move to Inter permanently?
Inter will have the opportunity to extend Akanji’s stay at the club as the deal to sign the Swiss defender includes an option for a permanent move for €15m (£13m).
However, this option will become mandatory should Inter win Serie A.
Akanji is one of the most high-profile City stars to join on loan this season, alongside £100million man Jack Grealish, who is spending the 2025/26 season at Everton.
How has Akanji performed for Inter this season?
The centre-back’s temporary move to Inter has proven largely fruitful, with him making 25 appearances across all competitions.
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Crucially for Akanji, he started 22 of them, including all 19 of Inter’s Serie A games.
In the games in which Akanji started at centre-back, Inter kept 11 clean sheets.
Akanji moved to City from Borussia Dortmund in September 2022 in a deal worth around £15 million.
The Swiss star wasted no time and made an early impact, being named City Player of the Month the following month.
Akanji enjoyed a memorable first season at the Etihad, which saw City win the treble.
Although Akanji made 35 appearances for City in all competitions last season, his role had shrunk this season due to the signing of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri in the summer, meaning Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias emerged as the preferred centre-back pairing.
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With the World Cup looming, Akanji has prioritized playing time and decided to join Inter for this season.
Cristian Chivu’s side sit at the top of the series with 49 points after 21 games, three points clear of second-placed AC Milan.
Inter also have a good chance of qualifying directly for the round of 16 of the Champions League as they sit sixth in the league stage table after six games and 12 points.
Chivu and his troops will look to cement their place in the top eight against Arsenal on Tuesday. The game kicks off at 8 p.m.
The Pitch Prospect will update fans on all the action at the San Siro with live commentary from Adam Bridge and former England defender Alvin Martin.
Coverage begins at 7:45pm on The Pitch Prospect 2.