Manchester City look set to move Nathan Ake on, with BBC Sport reporting that Fenerbahce are in talks over a deal worth an initial £7m, potentially rising to £8.5m through add-ons. Personal terms are said to be agreed, while the final details between the clubs are still being worked through.
That tells you most of what you need to know. This is an experienced defender, 31 years old, entering the final year of his contract, coming off a season in which his role had clearly diminished. City were always likely to listen.
Nathan Ake exit reflects reduced Manchester City role
Ake arrived from Bournemouth in 2020 for £40m and gave City exactly what they needed for long stretches, reliability, versatility and a defender capable of filling multiple roles without fuss. Across 177 appearances, he contributed to one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, collecting four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League.
Photo IMAGO
That said, football does not stand still. Last season he made only 17 starts in all competitions, with just six in the Premier League. Those are not the numbers of a player central to the plan. They are the numbers of someone drifting towards the edge of the squad.
Fenerbahce transfer offers sensible outcome
Fenerbahce’s statement read: “The player, who wore the jersey in the 2026 Fifa World Cup, will join our team in the Austria camp following the permission process,” and it is clear the Turkish club believe this is close. Ake also featured three times for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup before their exit to Morocco in the last 32, so this is not a player disappearing quietly.
For City, the fee is modest when set against the original outlay, but context matters. Age, contract length and recent usage all shape the market. If the total reaches £8.5m, there is little here to complain about. It clears space, removes a player who was no longer a major part of the rotation and gives Ake a…
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