Morgan Rogers, Van Dijk respond to Man City star Nathan Ake’s emotional message
Morgan Rogers and Virgil van Dijk have reacted to Nathan Ake’s recent message as a new addition is set to be made to the Man City family.
The Dutchman was part of a struggling defence last season as Pep Guardiola‘s side failed to remain in the Premier League title race, dropped out of the EFL Cup and Champions League early, and lost the FA Cup final.
It was an incredibly difficult campaign for all involved at the Etihad Stadium, and the club already appear to be moving into a new era as Kevin De Bruyne joins Napoli and Kyle Walker joins Burnley.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Man City will accelerate first-team exits after the manager threatened to quit over too big a squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.
After a long campaign, including a trip over to America for the Club World Cup, stars are enjoying their time away from football, and Ake has shared a loving update from his family holiday.
Nathan Ake to welcome one more to Man City family
Taking to Instagram (17 July), Ake wrote: “Soon to be four,” with a love emoji, sharing images of his partner and his kids on holiday, and attracting a lot of attention from Premier League stars.
The likes of Rogers, Van Dijk, and Kalvin Phillips all liked the post, with Dominic Solanke replying with two white heart emojis, and Manuel Akanji replied with praying and heart emojis.
Pep Guardiola to make cut-throat decisions this summer
Football Insider verdict
Supporters are expecting major changes, even after deals for Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Ait-Nouri, mainly after a shock defeat to Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup.
Football Insider understands, however, that the deadline for Kalvin Phillips’ Man City exit has been set as the former Leeds United star recovers from an Achilles injury over the summer.
Man City had also been keeping tabs on Ethan Nwaneri, Mick Brown told Football Insider, but the young talent is set to pen new terms at the Emirates Stadium under Mikel Arteta.
John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, Issa Kabore, Ilkay Gundogan, James McAtee, and especially Jack Grealish have all been heavily linked with exits this summer, and the squad needs a refresh.
Following the exits of De Bruyne and Walker, there is a clear passing of the torch, but with so many veterans still making up the numbers, it is impossible for the Citizens to fully move on this summer.
Guardiola will be doing everything in his power to avoid another trophyless campaign at the Etihad Stadium, the first of his seasons in England since his arrival in 2016.