Manchester City have made the definitive decision to part ways with Nathan Ake this month, with the Premier League champions slashing their asking price to just £21m to ensure a deal gets done. However, the Dutch international has already complicated matters by rejecting an approach from West Ham United.
The development, reported by Vital Football (via talkSPORT), signals the end of Ake’s five-and-a-half-year stay at the Etihad. Once a utility player who became a undroppable cog in Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning machine, the 30-year-old has fallen sharply down the pecking order this season.
With the 2026 World Cup in North America less than six months away, Ake’s need for regular football has aligned with City’s ruthlessness in moving on depreciating assets. But while the door is open, the player is refusing to walk through it just for the sake of minutes.
The West Ham Rejection
West Ham United were the first club to test the water following City’s decision to sell. The Hammers, currently languishing in 18th place and fighting a relegation battle, viewed Ake as the ideal experienced head to stabilise a leaking defence.
However, reports indicate Ake has flatly rejected the move to the London Stadium. Despite his desperate need for game time—having played fewer than 600 minutes in the 2025/26 campaign—the defender is seemingly unwilling to swap a title environment for a relegation scrap. This rejection suggests Ake retains a belief that his stock is high enough to attract a European-level club, even if his minutes at City have dried up.
The Price Drop: A Market Signal
The most telling detail in the report is the fee. Manchester City are reportedly willing to accept roughly £21m ($28m). For a versatile, left-footed defender with four Premier League titles, this is a "clearance" price.
It reflects two financial realities. First, Ake is 30 and his contract expires in 2027; this is City’s last chance to recoup a meaningful fee before his book value plummets further. Second, it is a signal to the market that City are not posturing—they want the wages off the books immediately to potentially fund their own January business.
Who is in the running?
With West Ham out of the picture, the market for Ake remains crowded. Newcastle United have long held an interest and, unlike West Ham, can offer a competitive project chasing European spots. A return to Bournemouth has also been mooted, though Ake’s wages would require a significant restructuring of the Cherries' pay scale.
Perhaps the most intriguing link is Barcelona. The Catalan giants are perpetually in the market for low-cost, high-technical defenders. Ake’s education under Guardiola makes him a seamless tactical fit for Barca’s system. However, their well-documented financial issues mean any deal would likely need to be an initial loan—a structure City are reportedly resisting in favour of a permanent cash injection.
World Cup Pressure
The driving force behind Ake’s push for an exit is Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman. The Dutch boss has publicly warned his key players that bench-warmers will not be guaranteed starting spots at the 2026 World Cup.
With Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias locking down the left side of City’s defence, Ake’s path to the first team is blocked. Staying at the Etihad until May is a gamble that could cost him a starting berth in what might be his final major international tournament. Check the latest Nathan Ake next club odds to see where the money is going as the deadline approaches.