Arsenal 'eyeing £25m move for Dortmund defender Akanji in summer window'

Arsenal are putting together a £25million deal for Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji after starting negotiations in January, according to reports.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has prioritised improving his defensive options in the upcoming transfer window and according to reports in Germany and Akanji's native Switzerland, he's eyeing the centre-back.

The north London side are reported to have launched a failed bid for the former Basel man last summer and also entered into talks over him in January.

Dortmund were not interested in letting him go last year after his fellow central defender Abdou Diallo moved to Paris Saint-Germain.

But German outlet FussballTransfers.com are now claiming that Arsenal officials entered back into formal talks with Dortmund earlier this year over a move in the summer.

The 24-year-old has been in and out of the side under Lucien Favre this season despite an impressive first full campaign in Germany.

Akanji was, however, involved for the full 90 minutes as Dortmund thrashed local rivals Schalke 4-0.

He impressed on the opening weekend as the Bundesliga became the first major league to return to action.

Arteta is thought to be keen on adding a powerful figure like Akanji to his squad.

Dortmund splashed £15m on Akanji in January 2018 and he is under contract at the German giants until 2022.