Pep Guardiola has Ruben Dias, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake to call upon at centre-back, but his defensive quartet might soon become a trio as Manchester City could be selling Nathan Ake this summer.
The 27-year-old has failed to hold down a regular starting place, is low down the pecking order and has interest from Newcastle United, so City have an opportunity to make back the money spent.
The Premier League champions are requesting a lot for Ake, however, with a £50m asking price, so that might put Newcastle off making a move. Read Man City have been critical of City overvaluing an out-of-favour defender and Alan Hutton seems to agree.
He told Football Insider: “He’s a great player. He did well at Bournemouth and got his move, which was brilliant for him, but I’m not paying £50million for him.
“I still believe he’s an excellent player. (But) if Newcastle are willing to pay that price, that’s totally up to them. I think that’s over and above what would be needed. Of course, he’s a very good Premier League player. Is he £50million worth? Not in my opinion.”
Ake joined City on a five-year deal from Bournemouth for £40.8m in 2020 and has made just 40 appearances across the board in two years. The Netherlands international has endured an injury-hit stay at the Etihad Stadium and is a victim of too much competition in defence, so his only option for regular playing time next season is to leave.
But whether Newcastle believe he’s worth paying £50m for remains to be seen.
Newcastle are ” the world’s richest club”. Get used to players having inflated values when you’re interested in them.
Considering Newcastle haven’t so much as placed a bid in for Ake and City haven’t even been contacted let alone put a price tag on him we have yet again here a complete non story made up to get idiots like me and others clicking.
Newcastle haven’t paid anything for him, haven’t bid for him and I’d be surprised if they did, what a non event article