Sources: Man City tell Nathan Ake he’s free to find new club amid Newcastle update
Man City have told Nathan Ake he is free to find a new club this summer, Football Insider understands.
The 27-year-old has been targeted by Premier League rivals including Newcastle United and his former club Chelsea.
A City source has told Football Insider that the club will sell Ake for the right price but they want a replacement signed before letting him go.
It is the firmest sign yet that the Netherlands international could be heading out of Etihad Stadium two years after his £40million arrival.
City would be happy to recoup the fee they paid to Bournemouth to secure the defender’s services in the summer of 2020.
Ake has three years remaining on his contract at the Etihad.
The centre-half made 27 appearances across all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side last season.
However, just 10 of those games were Premier League starts.
Ake is behind Ruben Dias, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order at the Etihad.
As a result, the left-footer has often seen himself deployed as a left-back by Guardiola.
Eddie Howe is a big admirer of Ake having signed him for Bournemouth in July 2017.
However, with Dan Burn and Sven Botman now at St. James’ Park, it is unclear whether the Magpies would be willing to pay £40million for another left-footed centre-back.
Chelsea are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both left the club upon the expiration of their contracts last month.
In other news, Man City have been issued a Kalvin Phillips injury verdict by an expert after a ‘huge’ reveal.