Manchester City Centre back Nathan Ake has been linked with a move to Newcastle United after their newly appointed boss Eddie Howe makes the Dutchman his number one priority.
The 26-year-old has been the dark horse of City’s backline failing to seize his spot in the starting 11 more often than not. He has been blowing hot and cold and consistency in his performances has been lacking ever since his transfer to Etihad for €41M at the start of the 2020/21 season.
Manchester City have bossed the defense with the star quartet of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, and Joao Cancelo coming to the party on most occasions.
They have struggled lately in the fixtures against West Ham and Crystal Palace when the opposition strikers could pounce on them with unusual ease. Guardiola though brought the A game of his players in the following matches where Manchester City bamboozled Club Brugge 4-0 on matchday Day 4 of the UEFA Champions League at the Etihad.
The final nail in the coffin though was the resounding 2-0 victory in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford against a side that was in shambles under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Goals from Bernardo Silva and an own goal from United defender Eric Bailly sealed a rather one-sided affair for the visitors.
Manchester City though would be aware that selling Ake at his current market price of €28.8M would be a precise loss to the Club. On the flip side, Newcastle would be hoping for the deal to be feasible as they can land the defender for a reasonable price tag.
Ake hasn’t been anywhere near his best and failed to start in Guardiola’s eleven consistently. For the Dutchman, parting with the Skyblues looks a bright option and the deal could be feasible with Guardiola showing no signs of interest in the Centre back.
So, fighting for a spot that doesnt even exist or starting in the 11 of a renovated side? What would you do if you were in the shoes of Nathan Ake?