Manchester City Put Off Premier League Side With £50 Million Valuation Of Defender

With another summer transfer window right around the corner, and several Premier League clubs looking to strengthen ahead of the new season, some of Manchester City's stars are at the centre of rife speculation.

One such name is Nathan Ake - who has largely struggled for consistent game time in Pep Guardiola's starting XI at the Etihad Stadium since his £40 million transfer from AFC Bournemouth in the summer of 2020.

The remarkable form of Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, and John Stones has significantly restricted Ake to bit-part roles in recent months, as well as features in unorthodox positions, although the 2021/22 campaign offered plenty of hope in regards to the player's ability to contribute in key moments and challenge those ahead of him in the central defensive pecking order.

Despite that, the ambitions of one Premier League club to sign Nathan Ake this summer have remained, although Manchester City's firm valuation of the Netherlands international may now act as the biggest stumbling block in any such move coming to fruition.

Nathan Ake in Manchester City training

According to the information The Telegraph, Newcastle United have enquired about Nathan Ake, although sources have described both transfers to the newspaper as "difficult" to complete.

The report goes on to state that The Magpies made Ake a priority target after it emerged the 27 year-old would be allowed to leave Manchester City this summer, although the North-East club have been put off by Etihad officials' £50 million valuation of the player.

Unsurprisingly given the pair's working relationship at Bournemouth, The Telegraph highlight that Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is a big fan of Nathan Ake, although unless Manchester City lower their valuation a deal will remain out of reach.

In regards to defensive reinforcements at the Etihad Stadium, chief negotiators seemingly only have their eyes set on full-back signings, with Brighton's Marc Cucurella known to be a top target, despite only signing for the Seagulls last summer.

Manchester City have already completed two signings this summer, with Julian Alvarez set to arrive from River Plate next month, as well as Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.