---
title: "Aston Villa: Nathan Ake given green light to move"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-nathan-ake-transfer-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-06-30T20:10:05Z"
modified: "2022-06-30T20:10:05Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Nathan Ake given green light to move

**[Aston Villa](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/) are keen on signing Manchester City defender Nathan Ake and the player will be allowed to leave the Etihad, according to [90min](https://www.90min.com/posts/man-city-ready-to-sell-nathan-ake-amid-premier-league-interest/amp).**

### The Lowdown: Ake at City

Ake, capable of playing as a [centre-back or left-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathan-ake/leistungsdaten/spieler/177476), made the move to the Etihad Stadium from Bournemouth back in 2020 and is currently valued at £22.5m by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathan-ake/profil/spieler/177476).

The 27-year-old has only managed [40](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathan-ake/leistungsdaten/spieler/177476) appearances in his two years under Pep Guardiola, though, making just [ten](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathan-ake/leistungsdaten/spieler/177476) Premier League starts last season.

Ake, who Virgil van Dijk described as ‘[fantastic](https://tribuna.com/en/news/liverpoolfc-2020-03-13-he-has-the-quality-van-dijk-backs-fantastic-national-teammate-nathan-ake-to-excel-at-the-/)’, actually shares the same [agency](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wasserman/beraterfirma/berater/440) as Steven Gerrard, and it looks as if Villa are open to bringing the Dutch defender to the Midlands.

### The Latest: Villa interest

According to [90min](https://www.90min.com/posts/man-city-ready-to-sell-nathan-ake-amid-premier-league-interest/amp), Manchester City have decided to allow Ake to leave this summer, with a number of sides interested in the defender they spent [£41m](https://www.90min.com/posts/man-city-ready-to-sell-nathan-ake-amid-premier-league-interest/amp) on.

One of those teams is thought to be Villa, with City favouring a permanent exit for the centre-back over the coming months.

\[freshpress-poll id=”401588″\]

### The Verdict: One to watch?

Villa are short of left-back options after [Matt Targett](https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/magpies-sign-targett-on-permanent-deal/) completed a permanent move to Newcastle. Ashley Young is also yet to sign a new deal, leaving Lucas Digne as the only senior option.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398332″\]

Bringing Ake to Villa Park would bolster Gerrard’s left-back ranks, while also adding a high-quality centre-back option.

However, Villa have already signed a centre-back this summer in Diego Carlos and now have [five](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/2/Aston-Villa/squad) on the books, so one may have to make way if the club want to bring in Ake.