Manchester City have reportedly told defender Nathan Ake that he is free to leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer transfer window.
Reports from talkSPORT suggest that City have allowed the Dutch centre-back to leave Manchester this summer and that Newcastle United would be keen on signing the defender as they look to climb towards the European places next season.
A move for Ake would see him reunited with Eddie Howe, who bought Ake to Bournemouth, initially on loan, in 2016. Ake spent four years with the Cherries and played 121 times in all competitions for them before he joined City for £41million two years ago, with much of Ake’s best form on the south coast coming under Howe.
Ake has not been much of a regular for City during his two years at the Etihad Stadium. While has been a part of two title-winning sides in the Premier League, the Dutch international defender has made just 24 top-flight appearances across his two terms under Guardiola.
TalkSPORT claim that Newcastle are keen on bringing the defender to the north east this summer despite completing the permanent signing of Dan Burn from Brighton and Hove Albion in January. Newcastle also signed England right-back Kieran Trippier in January and left-back Matt Target from Aston Villa, although Targett’s arrival was only on loan until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Newcastle have also been linked with a number of other centre-backs ahead of the summer transfer window officially opening next Friday, June 10.
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Burnley ’s James Tarkowski has been linked as he is set to become a free agent following the Clarets’ relegation down to the Championship. Lille’s Sven Botman has also been credited with interest from the Magpies, as has Diego Carlos, who completed a move from Sevilla to Aston Villa on Wednesday.
In attack, reports suggest that Newcastle are closing in on signing Stade de Reims striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth up to £36m, including add-ons. The French Under-20s international averaged a goal every 127.5 minutes in Ligue 1 last season and scored four more goals that Paris Saint-Germain and Argentinian great Lionel Messi.
It is thought that Newcastle will be keen to bolster their front line this summer after struggles for goals last season. Callum Wilson (eight) ended the 2021/22 campaign as their top scorer in the Premier League, despite missing most of last season through injury.
While Ekitike is said to be close to joining the Tyneside club, Everton ’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also been heavily linked with interest from the Magpies, with Barcelona ’s Memphis Depay also said to be on the club’s attacking shortlist.
Ake has won two Premier League titles and the FA Cup during his two years at City so far, with his contract not expiring until 2025. The defender played 40 times for the Sky Blues in all competitions last season, scoring four goals, three of which have come in the Premier League.
