Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is focussing on his future at the Etihad Stadium despite links with a transfer away this summer.
Reports from The Telegraph suggest that Ake is on the wish-list of Eddie Howe, which would reunite the Dutch City defender with his former Bournemouth boss Howe at St James’ Park. However, latest reports from the same outlet suggest that City want £50million to part company with Ake, which was put Newcastle off the idea of signing him.
Since signing for Pep Guardiola’s side from Bournemouth in 2020, Ake has made 40 appearances for the club in all competitions, but has only featured 24 times in the Premier League.
Despite reported interest from Newcastle and his former boss Howe, the Dutch international is instead focussed on wanting to stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond the summer and earn more minutes under Guardiola next season.
"Last season was very unhappy due to injuries, I don't really count that year,” Ake told NOS. “This season I was really 100 per cent present and I played more. You notice an improvement in yourself, how you play. I felt good.”
Asked about about whether or not his intentions were to stay at City and fight for a regular starting spot, Ake added: "I will go into the season with that intention. I will do everything I can to play even more."
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Ake is currently on international duty with the Dutch national side for their four UEFA Nations League matches this month. The 27-year-old started and played the duration of the Netherlands’ 4-1 win away at Germany on Friday night, moving them top of Group 4 in League A of the Nations League.
The City defender will hope to win 27 th international cap on Wednesday night in Cardiff when the Netherlands face Wales, who on Sunday became the last European nation to book a place in this year’s FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 win over Ukraine.
Ake and his country will then return to their homeland for their final two games of this month’s Nations League ties, hosting Poland on Saturday night before taking on Wales at home next Tuesday.
While Ake only made 14 Premier League appearances during the 2021/22 campaign, he did score twice on City’s way to winning their sixth top-flight in the last decade, the most recent four of which have been in the last five seasons.
Newcastle’s hunt for a centre-back has not seen them only look at Ake this month. According to reports, Lille’s Sven Botman and Burnley ’s James Tarkowski have also been eyed up by the Magpies.
In attack, Newcastle are keen to add to their forward line, with top scorer Callum Wilson scoring just eight league goals last season in an injury-hit campaign. Stade de Reims striker Hugo Ekitike and Everton ’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin have both been heavily linked with interest from the north east side.
