Nathan Ake's future at Manchester City is under renewed scrutiny in the final days of the January transfer window, with betting odds shortening dramatically on a potential move to Crystal Palace. The 30-year-old Dutch defender, who has been at the Etihad since his £41m arrival from Bournemouth in 2020, has started only four Premier League matches this season despite remaining fit. His limited involvement — 12 appearances across all competitions — stems from intense competition in Pep Guardiola's backline, particularly with the return of Ruben Dias from injury and the recent addition of Marc Guehi from Palace itself.
The signing of Guehi has reportedly shifted the defensive hierarchy, creating an opportunity for Ake to seek regular football elsewhere. Palace, having just sold Guehi, are now positioned as a surprise late contender, with odds from a major bookmaker slashed to 5/1 for the Netherlands international to join them before Monday's deadline. Football Insider 247 highlighted the movement, noting Palace as a new factor in a market where Everton and West Ham remain favourites at 2/1, with Bournemouth also in contention.
Contract Security and Playing Time Concerns
Ake's contract at Manchester City runs until summer 2027, with an estimated weekly wage of £160,000. This long-term commitment gives City strong leverage, but his reduced role has raised questions over his long-term fit. Ake himself addressed the issue in early January, acknowledging Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman's preference for regular club minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup: "He has said to me a few times actually that he wants me to play more and sometimes it is difficult to call me up if I don’t play a lot, that’s obvious." With only 10 Premier League starts last season and a similar pattern this term, the defender faces a genuine risk of falling further down the pecking order behind Dias, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, and emerging talents like Abdukodir Khusanov.
City's defensive depth remains robust, but Ake's versatility as a left-footed centre-back capable of playing left-back provides value. A sale in January would require a fee likely in the £20-30m range, reflecting his age and contract length, though no formal bids have been confirmed. Palace's interest would represent a direct replacement strategy post-Guehi, with Ake offering Premier League experience and international pedigree.
Market Reaction and Broader Interest
The betting movement is telling. Punters have responded to the late speculation, with Crystal Palace prices shortening sharply while Everton and West Ham hold steady. The latest Nathan Ake next club odds indicate growing market belief in a potential switch, though scepticism persists over a mid-season exit given City's injury history and need for depth. Other reported interest, including brief talks with Monaco and enquiries from AC Milan, has not materialised into concrete bids, underscoring the difficulty of prising a player from Guardiola's squad in January.
Financially, City have no pressing need to sell — Ake's wages are manageable within their structure — but a profitable transaction could fund further reinforcements elsewhere. For Ake, regular football is paramount, both for club form and international selection. A move to Palace would offer immediate starts in a mid-table side pushing for Europe, though it would represent a step down from Champions League football.
Window Deadline Dynamics
With less than 48 hours until the window shuts, any deal would require swift negotiation. City's reluctance to lose defensive cover mid-season makes a permanent exit unlikely unless an irresistible offer arrives, but the odds shift suggests market anticipation of late movement. Ake's situation illustrates the challenges faced by high-calibre squad players in elite setups: consistent minutes are scarce, yet his quality ensures interest. Whether Palace can capitalise on the speculation remains to be seen, but the developments highlight how quickly defensive hierarchies can shift and create opportunities in a compressed window.