Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake has reportedly been told by the Premier League champions that he can leave the club this summer, according to talkSPORT correspondent Alex Crook.
The Lowdown: Bit-part player
The Dutchman first put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Sky Blues back in 2020 when he made the £41m move to the Etihad from Bournemouth, where he has since gone on to make 40 appearances during his two years at the club so far.
Despite still having three years remaining on his current contract with Pep Guardiola’s side, the 27-year-old hasn’t been a regular starter in the Spaniard’s top XI. As a result, he has recently been linked with a move away from the top-flight giants, with the likes of Newcastle United interested in securing his services.
The Latest: Ake told he can leave City
In a new article published by talkSPORT author Crook, it’s claimed that Ake has been ‘told he can leave’ City during the upcoming transfer window, and could be handed a career ‘lifeline’ by one of his former managers.
The source states that Magpies boss Eddie Howe is a ‘big admirer’ of the 5 foot 9 defender, having worked alongside him during his reign with the Cherries.
Howe already ‘enquired’ about signing the defender in January, but Guardiola ‘was not willing’ to sanction an exit at that particular time.
The Verdict: Reunion with Howe on the cards?
After being named in City’s starting line-up just ten times in the Premier League this season, it comes as no surprise to see the 25-cap international being backed with a move away from Manchester in the coming months.
Despite his lack of game time, the £100k-per-week star has still shown what he’s capable of when on the pitch, having averaged 1.5 clearances and 1.1 tackles per 90 minutes, not to mention the fact that he won 2.6 of his aerial duels per match, via WhoScored, displaying the strong physical presence he can have in a backline.
Ake was once described as an “outstanding” player by Howe himself and so could be set for a reunion with the Newcastle boss, with the chances of him being pictured in the black and white stripes at St. James’ Park come the beginning of August seeming a very strong possibility.