Manchester City Inform Defender He Is Free To Leave The Club This Summer

Manchester City will not stand in Nathan Ake's way should he wish to leave the club this summer, according to a new report.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to Chelsea this week as Thomas Tuchel looks to reshape his backline ahead of a potential exodus in defence at Stamford Bridge.

Ake is believed to be open to the idea of returning to Chelsea, who are proceeding in their bid to sign Raheem Sterling in order to bridge the gap to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Nathan Ake in Manchester City training (Image: Alamy)

After a possible reunion with former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe at Newcastle was mooted for the defender earlier this month, Ake seemingly confirmed he was set to stay put at the Etihad Stadium into the new season.

The Netherlands international was key in providing cover for Ruben Dias and John Stones at crucial stages of Manchester City's recent league winning campaign.

However, since his arrival from the Vitality Stadium in 2020, Ake has been utilised largely as a squad player and was understood to be open to leaving City in search of regular game time should the opportunity arise this summer.

Nathan Ake in action for Manchester City (Image: Alamy)

Chelsea have believed to have recently made Nathan Ake their top target in defence ahead of Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt and Sevilla's Jules Kounde.

Todd Boehly, who led the consortium that successfully took over Chelsea from Roman Abramovich this summer, held private talks with the Premier League champions over their valuation of Nathan Ake on Monday.

It remains to be seen whether City will allow Ake to leave for Chelsea, who are set to make an improved offer for Raheem Sterling this week and have registered their interest in signing Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Nathan Ake looks on in Manchester City's home clash against Brighton (Image: Alamy)

According to a new report by 90min, Manchester City have informed Nathan Ake that he is free to leave the club this summer.

Ake is no stranger to Chelsea, having spent the start of his career there but despite being at Stamford Bridge for six years, he found his opportunities lacking.

Boehly is keen to make his impact on the squad and sees City’s two-time Premier League winning defender as the perfect statement transfer.

Nathan Ake during his time at Chelsea (Image: Alamy)

With three years remaining on Ake’s contract at the Etihad Stadium, City could still demand a sizeable fee to let go of the Dutch defender.

Although there are still some gaps in Pep Guardiola's squad to plug this summer, the club are blessed with plentiful options in certain positions on the field.

One such position is centre-back, with City having as many as four recognised and high-quality defenders available at the heart of defence.

Nathan Ake in Champions League action for Manchester City (Image: Alamy)

Ruben Dias, who could take over the armband from Fernandinho ahead of the new campaign, is arguably the highest rated of the four, with his explosive debut season in 2020/21 leading to the Premier League Player of the Year award.

John Stones has been at the club the longest of the four and has quickly become a fan favourite amongst the City faithful, with the England international improving vastly under Pep Guardiola.

Aymeric Laporte has also proved to be a good servant to the club over the four years he has spent at the Etihad Stadium, scoring vital goals for the Blues including the Carabao Cup final winner against Tottenham in 2021.

Ake joined City for £40 million in the summer of 2020 from Bournemouth after the Cherries were relegated to the Championship.