Nigerian-born, Swiss-worn, City-sworn: Akanji joins Premier League holders

Pep Guardiola has as many as four reliable centre-backs in rotation at the moment: Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Nathan Ake. However, it's obviously not enough for the meticulous Spanish tactician as he's on the verge of inking one more defender - Borussia Dortmund's Manuel Akanji.

The 27-year-old sweeper has been a mainstay at Signal Iduna Park for the last couple of years, but now is time to go. The negotiations between the clubs are going well, and, per The Athletic, the Swiss international of Nigerian descent will probably end up at the Etihad for €17.5million.

The Aspirin-makers get Chelsea's difference-maker

Akanji has yet to make an appearance for Dortmund this season and is into the final year of his contract. He has been pushed down the pecking order at the Bundesliga club with the arrivals of Niklas Sule from Bayern Munich and Nico Schlotterbeck from Freiburg.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday

21.30: (3.30) Fulham (3.25) Brighton (2.40)

21.30: (2.20) Crystal Palace (3.35) Brentford (3.60)

21.45: (5.90) Southampton (4.00) Chelsea (1.65)

22.00: (2.20) Leeds (3.40) Everton (3.60)

Wednesday

21.30: (3.60) Bournemouth (3.35) Wolverhampton (2.20)

21.30: (1.50) Arsenal (4.40) Aston Villa (7.50)

21.30: (1.10) Man.City (13.0) Nott.Forest (25.0)

21.45: (3.80) West Ham (3.60) Tottenham (2.05)

22.00: (1.33) Liverpool (5.90) Newcastle (9.50)

Thursday

22.00: (3.80) Leicester (3.50) Man.Utd. (2.10)

***odds are subject to change