Nathan Ake has reportedly been told he can leave Manchester City this summer, with Newcastle said to be eyeing up a deal.
The defender has played an important role for City over the past couple of years, filling in at left-back and in the centre of defence as the Blues have had their fair share of injury problems. However, Ake finds himself down the pecking order for a regular spot in the starting XI.
Reports suggest the Netherlands international is keen to get more game-time and he could be given that opportunity this summer. TalkSPORT claim City will allow Ake to leave the Etihad, with a reunion with Eddie Howe on the cards.
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Newcastle will be looking to splash the cash in the transfer window following their Saudi-backed takeover, and are unlikely to be put off by any fee that may be slapped on the defender. A move to St James’ Park would see Ake reunited with Howe, having played under the Magpies boss during his time at Bournemouth.
Elsewhere, AC Milan star Rafael Leao is being linked with a move to City, with the Italian side said to be struggling to tie him down to a new deal. The Portugal international has been attracting plenty of interest with his performances, with the Blues among those to have been regularly linked.
Milan are claimed to have been in talks with Leao over a renewal of his current deal for months now but have been slowed down due to a change in ownership. His current deal expires in 2024.
According to Pianeta Milan (via Sport Witness), the Serie A champions have proposed a new deal which would keep Leao at the club until 2026 and triple his wages in the process. With interest coming from elsewhere, the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is claimed to have told Milan that won’t be enough.
As well as City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also said to be interested in securing Leao’s services. The report adds that the Blues and PSG would have no issue in meeting Mendes’ demands for his player.
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