Nathan Ake: Everton will have loved Man City defender's performance in Carabao Cup final win
Nathan Ake's Carabao Cup final performance will have delighted those at Everton as they potentially ready a move to sign him this summer.
Ake was linked away from Man City during both of the last transfer windows, with Everton and West Ham believed to be keeping tabs on his availability.
Pep Guardiola chose to keep him around for this season, however, but he has only started four Premier League games so far and now looks set to leave soon.
Marc Guehi's arrival has seen him slip down the pecking order, but an injury to the England man saw Ake start at the back against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Everton's transfer plans are taking shape as they try to return to European competition under Moyes, and the Dutchman would clearly be a solid signing based on his showing against the Gunners.
Nathan Ake's cup final performance should encourage Everton to accelerate a summer move
Ake was handed a rare start ahead of the injured Guehi in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, and he put in a strong performance to help City lift the trophy.
Such a fine showing is likely to alert interested teams to the 31-year-old’s potential availability, with sources telling Football Insider that City want to sell Ake before he can depart for free at the end of his contract next summer.
| Minutes | 90′ |
| Accurate passes | 56/62 (90%) |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Recoveries | 3 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Ground duels won | 1/2 |
| Aerial duels won | 4/4 |
He did not give Viktor Gyokeres any time or space to impress, while he constantly got Guardiola's side back on the front foot in the second half with some long passes.
Everton have previously tracked him before now, and they remain in the market for a new left-back this summer as Vitalii Mykolenko struggles to impress.
His extensive European experience could prove to be a vital asset to Moyes' side, especially if they are able to qualify for one of the three UEFA competitions this season.
Not only could he play at left-back, but Sunday shows that he remains equally adept as a centre-back, despite never being the tallest or strongest in the position.
Moyes' backline could certainly do with a bit more balance and more of a ball-playing defender to help out the likes of James Tarkowski or Jarrad Branthwaite, which Ake would certainly be.
Ake's future could rest on Guardiola staying at City
Guardiola clearly rates Ake highly and has previously praised his mindset and selflessness, as he never complains even if he is not picked to play on a regular basis.
He put in a strong performance against Arsenal on Sunday, and the legendary City boss was full of more praise as he admitted that he never had any concerns about the important role that Ake was set to play in their gameplan.
There is uncertainty around the manager's own future at the Etihad ahead of the summer, as sources have told Football Insider that Guardiola is unsettled and unhappy due to some recent personal issues he has encountered.
Ake looks more likely to leave City if Guardiola decides that his race is run in the Premier League, but if the Catalan boss stays, then the Dutchman could well be kept on.