---
title: "Man City: Nathan Ake on verge of exit as Chelsea talks advance"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/man-city-chelsea-nathan-ake-guardiola-etihad-sterling-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Manchester City News"
published: "2022-07-06T20:05:41Z"
modified: "2022-07-06T20:05:41Z"
---

# Man City: Nathan Ake on verge of exit as Chelsea talks advance

**Nathan Ake is now on the verge of a [Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/) exit after talks over a potential move to [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) rivals Chelsea have advanced.**

### The Lowdown: Ake free to leave City

The Dutchman [joined](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/12043190/nathan-ake-manchester-city-sign-defender-from-bournemouth) the Sky Blues back in 2020 but has struggled for game time, something which has seen him being [linked](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/ake-man-city-transfer-rumours-24133517) with a move away from the Etihad in recent weeks, despite still having [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manchester-city/vertragsende/verein/281/vertragsendeJahr/2025) years remaining on his contract.

The 27-year-old is believed to have [been told](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-man-city-tell-nathan-ake-hes-free-to-find-new-club-amid-newcastle-update/) that he can leave the club this summer, amid interest from Chelsea and Newcastle United.

It was first reported by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12641538/chelsea-target-nathan-ake-return-as-part-of-double-man-city-swoop-including-raheem-sterling-paper-talk) last month that the London outfit had opened talks with City over a potential swoop for the centre-back, and following a fresh update, it seems as though Thomas Tuchel’s side have won the race for his signature.

### The Latest: Chelsea in advanced talks

In an article published by the [Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-fc-de-ligt-ake-transfer-latest-bayern-munich-b1010300.html), it’s claimed that Ake’s ongoing discussions with Chelsea are now said to be at a ‘more advanced’ stage, with the defender closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge.

The source states that City want to ‘recoup’ the £41m they spent when they initially bought him from Bournemouth, with that particular valuation ‘not expected to be a problem’ for the Blues.

The only sticking point currently holding the deal up is on City’s part, who are keen to wait to find a suitable replacement before letting their man leave.

Chelsea have also been in contact with the top-flight champions regarding a move for Raheem Sterling, who they hope to ‘finalise the signing’ of before flying out to America this weekend.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”397988″\]

### The Verdict: Best for both parties

City allowing Ake to leave would be the right decision for both parties, and the [27](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathan-ake/nationalmannschaft/spieler/177476)-cap international will no doubt be keen on making the move elsewhere to get some regular minutes under his belt.

Last season, the [5 foot 9](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathan-ake/nationalmannschaft/spieler/177476) gem, who was once [described](https://twitter.com/dmichallik/status/802904242730086401?s=21&t=fgaCzBPmXyE-rTofieLBtg) as a ‘baller’ by [sports producer](https://twitter.com/DMichallik) Danny Michallik, only made [ten](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/122945/Show/Nathan-Ak%C3%A9) league starts under Pep Guardiola, and has majorly fallen down the pecking order behind the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones.

\[freshpress-poll id=”402234″\]

Ake is an ex-Chelsea player having [signed](https://chelseafc.fandom.com/wiki/Nathan_Ake) for them back in 2011 so could be wanting to make a return to his old stomping ground, fast forward 11 years and there’s a strong chance that we could be seeing him donning the Stamford strip again at the start of next season.