Manchester United are considering a transfer for Nigeria born Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji
Rangnick has also questioned the level of Harry Maguire’s performance and an experienced defender like Akanji would increase the competition.
The 26-year-old has a 16-month contract left and is valued at £26million by Dortmund, joining from Basel in 2018 for £15million.
The German club have offered Akanji a new contract worth around £6.7million a year, but his representatives are said to be pushing for a wage of almost £8.3million, roughly £162,000 a week.
Despite reports in Germany suggesting United have made an offer, Sportsmail understands United have not yet taken a formal approach, but have been made aware of the player’s situation and his willingness to consider a new challenge.
Akanji can play to the left or right of a defending duo and has played 28 appearances for Dortmund this season. He has 38 caps for Switzerland and was part of their squad that reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship last summer.
Rangnick knows the defender well, but other options are also being considered as United’s interim manager has input into potential transfer targets set aside for the next permanent boss.