Nathan Ake was heavily linked with a move away from Manchester City during the January transfer window as well, but the Premier League giants refused to sanction his departure in the middle of the season.
It appears they have softened their stance, and Football Insider has claimed they are prepared to let him leave at the end of the season. The Dutchman has a contract with them until 2027, and it makes sense for Manchester City to let him leave for a nominal fee in the summer rather than lose him for free next year.
Pete O’Rourke explained, “It could be the right time, maybe, for a parting of the ways for both parties. Ake has been a good servant to Man City. He did have interest in the January window, but Man City couldn’t let him leave with injuries to Ruben Dias and others.
“Josko Gvardiol obviously picked up that long-term injury as well, so there was no way that City could let (Ake) move on. Maybe he will feel, at this stage of his career, he might need to move on in search of regular first-team football.”
Furthermore, the Netherlands international needs to play regularly at this stage of his career. He is no longer a key player for Manchester City, and he should look to leave the club. He has had 488 minutes of Premier League action this season.
Ake needs to play more often at this stage of his career. It will be interesting to see if any top club is willing to provide him with an exit route in the summer. There is no doubt that the Dutch defender is a quality player, and he has shown that at Manchester City.
Nathan Ake is versatile enough to operate as both a central defender and a full-back. He could prove to be an asset in the right team. He has the quality and the experience to help most teams improve.
The 31-year-old is likely to be available for a reasonable fee in the summer due to his contract situation, and he could be an attractive option for most clubs. It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. He should look to join a club, where he will get a key role in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have looked vulnerable at the back this season, and they need to improve defensively. They should look to bring a quality replacement for the Netherlands international at the end of the season.
