Nathan Ake insists he is fully focussed on earning his place for Manchester City this season after a summer that saw him linked with Chelsea for weeks.
Ake has struggled to hold down a starting spot for City, mainly due to the presence of Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones at centre-back, while Joao Cancelo and Aleks Zinchenko were ahead of him in the left-back ranks. Zinchenko will complete a move to Arsenal soon, perhaps giving Ake some more opportunities at full-back, but Chelsea were interested in signing him to offer the central minutes he desires.
With little need to sell, City set a £50m asking price on the Dutchman, and insisted they would need a replacement before the transfer deadline. If both criteria couldn't be met, Ake would stay at City, and that will be the case after Chelsea wouldn't pay the £50m.
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Ake started City's opening pre-season friendly in Houston on Wednesday as John Stones didn't travel to the US as he doesn't meet the country's entry requirements, and Aymeric Laporte is also back in Manchester with an injury. Ruben Dias has travelled, but illness kept him out of the Club America victory.
That could open an opportunity for Ake to stake an early claim for a starting spot this season, and he revealed to reporters at NRG Park on Wednesday night that he paid little attention to the speculation regarding his future in recent weeks.
"I'm very happy to be at the club, 100 per cent focussed on the club. I try and improve and make sure I get minutes," he said, insisting the speculation did not turn his head away from City.
"It was all in the holiday period anyway when I arrive at the club I was very happy to be there straight away, to see everyone. When I started training my head was 100 per cent focussed on City.
"Obviously you get information as well. This holiday I tried to enjoy, do the most I can to enjoy it and keep away from it. You only have two-and-a-half weeks or so. It's not easy but I try to do that."
The challenge now for Ake is to earn himself a regular place in Guardiola's plans, although he admitted he has not spoken to the manager about anything beyond summer holidays and private conversations.
He said: "100 per cent, that [forcing his way into the side] has been the challenge since I've been here. We've got a very good squad so I'm very happy to be here, be with the manager, and hopefully keep improving and see where we go from there.
"I'm happy to play any position. It's going to be a long season, just want to be ready. Every pre-season is a big opportunity, now is about fitness, everyone getting fit and getting ready for games coming up."
Ake also gave another encouraging update on new signing Erling Haaland, saying the striker is fitting in well with his teammates off the field, even if his fitness is being managed on it.
"He's doing very good, very nice guy as well. It's very important that he fits in very well with the team. Everyone is excited," Ake said.
"He's a very nice guy, chilled. On the pitch he's very eager, off the pitch he's very chilled. A very nice guy, he fits in perfectly. We haven't had many duels yet to be fair, it's been mostly tactical so far, I'm sure there will be many chances."
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