Everton get Nathan Ake green light after huge West Ham transfer development
Everton have just received a significant update regarding the future of Nathan Ake ahead of the January transfer window.
The Manchester City star has slowly fallen out of favour at the Etihad Stadium so far this term, as Pep Guardiola has begun to transition away from some of the older members of his squad.
Former City financial advisor Stefan Borson recently told Football Insider that his former club are prepared to sell Ake either in January or next summer, and his lack of football has emphasised that even further.
The Dutchman has started just one game in the Premier League so far this season, and his situation at the Citizens has begun to alert teams elsewhere in the division.
Everton to reignite Nathan Ake chase as West Ham bid fails
Everton were heavily linked with a move for Ake in the summer, but they were ultimately unable to get a deal over the line.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s sustained injury lay-off has left David Moyes desperately short of options at the heart of his defence, and that is something that he will undoubtedly look to address in January.
Ake was a major target for Everton for several weeks in the last window, and they may be tempted to reignite their pursuit for him next month after a huge development that has just emerged from West Ham.
The East Londoners are also keen on the 30-year-old and even submitted an offer for him, but they have been told that the idea of a relegation battle doesn’t appeal to him, according to West Ham Central and ExWHUEmployee on X.
West Ham’s apparent failure to land Ake surely gives Everton the green light that they need to continue their interest.
The Toffees are far better off in the league table, and the City star’s desire to avoid firefighting at the foot of the table is likely to seriously reduce the level of competition for his signature.
How much would the Toffees have to pay to get Ake?
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider in the summer that Manchester City would accept a “good or significant offer” for Ake, and that is likely to be the case once again in January.
The former Chelsea defender is due to enter the final year of his contract next summer, meaning City surely have no hope of being able to recoup anything like the £41million that they shelled out for him in 2020.
The Friedkin Group may be able to get hold of Ake for potentially as little as £15-20m, which is undoubtedly an excellent price for a player of his level of experience.
Everton are crying out for reinforcements to their backline, and it isn’t every day that you get the chance to sign a six-time Premier League champion who is still only 30.