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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Will Freeman & Paul Okey

Man City squad numbers available to new signings as Manuel Akanji deal edges closer before deadline

Manchester City previously looked unlikely to make any more additions to the squad this summer after adding Sergio Gomez to the squad, but injuries to Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte have forced Pep Guardiola's hand and a move for Manuel Akanji now looks to be edging closer.

Borussia Dortmund left-back Raphael Guerreiro had also been mentioned but while Pep Guardiola “appreciates the qualities” of the 28-year-old, a move seems unlikely. However, his Dortmund teammate Akanji looks like being the next player through the door at the Etihad Stadium.

Akanji wears the number 5 shirt for his country, Switzerland, this is currently occupied by John Stones. Meanwhile, he wears the number 16 shirt for Dortmund which is currently taken by Rodri, meaning that he would have to take a new number should he join the club.

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola says that Bernardo Silva will stay at Man City this summer

We look at the numbers remaining for any potential new City recruits:

Unfilled Man City squad numbers

Unusually, City still have no.1 remaining, with Ederson preferring to retain the no.31 jersey. Claudio Bravo was City’s last no.1 in the 2019-20 season.

Kalvin Phillips took the no.4 shirt which had remained vacant since the departure of Vincent Kompany, meaning the only other shirt number still available in the traditional 1-11 is the no.11. Oleksandr Zinchenko previously occupied 11.

The no.12 hasn’t been filled since Angeliño wore it in 2019-20, while 13 was the property of Zack Steffen before his loan move to Middlesbrough.

Eliaquim Mangala was the last City player to wear 15, with 22, 24 and 25 also up for grabs while City retired the no.23 shirt following the death of Marc-Vivien Foe.

The numbers 27, 28, 29 and 30 are also available, with Cole Palmer, at no.80, the highest-numbered first-team squad player still at the Etihad.

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