West Ham are set for a busy few weeks in the remainder of the January transfer window but bad news is emerging regarding one target.
Borussia Dortmund have won the race for FC Basel defender Manuel Akanji, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League to join David Moyes’ side this month.
22-year-old Swiss international Akanji had also been targeted by the likes of West Brom and Southampton, with Liverpool also attributed with an interest before their £75m signing of Virgil Van Dijk, but it’s the German giants who have secured his signature.
✍️ Borussia Dortmund hat sich mit dem @FCBasel1893 auf einen sofortigen Wechsel des Spielers Manuel #Akanji verständigt. Der 22 Jahre junge Abwehrspieler unterzeichnete einen Vertrag bis zum 30. Juni 2022 und erhält die Rückkennummer 16. Herzlich willkommen, Manuel! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/79VFrXKz9I
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 15, 2018
The youngster, who has been an ever-present figure for Basel this season and has experience playing in the Champions League, would have been seen as a top-class recruit for West Ham but the lure of European football with Dortmund was too good to turn down.
Moyes will therefore have to look elsewhere if he seeks additions to bolster his defensive line.
