When Nathan Ake first walked into the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2020, few people expected the journey he was about to take. He arrived quietly from Bournemouth, a defender many saw as solid but not spectacular, a player signed to add depth rather than become a main figure. Yet football has a strange way of changing stories, and Ake’s time at Manchester City became one of resilience, patience, trophies, pain, and now uncertainty. As the January transfer window approaches, the once reliable defender finds himself standing at a crossroads, surrounded by interest, frustration, and difficult decisions that could shape the final chapters of his career.
Ake has now been at Manchester City for more than five years. In that time, he has played 153 matches across all competitions, scored ten goals, and lifted ten major trophies. These numbers tell part of the story, but not the full picture. He has been a Premier League winner four times, a Champions League winner, an FA Cup winner, a League Cup winner, and a key squad member in one of the greatest teams English football has ever seen. Yet despite all the medals and memories, Ake’s place in the team has never felt fully secure. He has often been the dependable option rather than the automatic choice, the player Pep Guardiola trusts but does not always turn to first.
The peak of Ake’s Manchester City career came during the unforgettable 2022-23 season. That year, City won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League, completing a historic treble. Ake played 41 matches in all competitions and was crucial in many of them. He showed calmness in big moments, strength in duels, and intelligence in positioning. When others struggled, Ake often stepped in and delivered. For long stretches of that season, he looked like one of Guardiola’s most trusted defenders, especially on the left side of the back line.
But football rarely allows moments of comfort to last. Injuries began to interrupt Ake’s rhythm. Small issues became recurring problems, and availability became a concern. Last season, he managed only 20 appearances in total, with just ten of those coming in the Premier League. For a player who thrives on consistency, this was a frustrating period. Each time he seemed ready to build momentum, another setback arrived. Meanwhile, Manchester City continued to evolve, signing new defenders and reshaping their back line.
This season has only increased the sense of uncertainty around Ake. At 30 years old, he is no longer the young defender with years ahead to wait patiently. He has started only two of City’s first eleven Premier League matches, and across all competitions, he has started just four times from eight appearances. These numbers may not look alarming at first glance, but for a player used to being relied upon during important periods, they tell a story of reduced trust and fierce competition.
Pep Guardiola has an abundance of defensive options. Josko Gvardiol has emerged as a powerful presence, capable of playing both centre-back and left-back. Ruben Dias remains the leader of the defence, a player Guardiola trusts deeply. John Stones offers intelligence and flexibility, often stepping into midfield. Abdukodir Khusanov has added further competition at centre-back, while Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Ait-Nouri provide alternatives on the left side. In such a crowded environment, even a proven and loyal servant like Ake can find himself slipping down the pecking order.
For Ake, this situation is not just about club football. It affects his international career as well. He remains an important figure for the Netherlands national team and has earned 56 caps so far. He has been called up again this month, which shows the respect he still commands. However, his national team manager Ronald Koeman has openly acknowledged the frustration Ake is feeling at club level. Koeman revealed that Ake is “bothered” by his lack of playing time, a rare public admission that highlights the seriousness of the situation.
Koeman’s comments were honest and revealing. He made it clear that Ake is one of the captains of the Netherlands squad and that his left-footed profile is extremely valuable in a team filled with right-footed central defenders. Koeman spoke about trust, reliability, and loyalty, praising Ake for always being available when needed. These words underline how highly Ake is regarded internationally, even if his club role has diminished.
Yet there is an unspoken concern hanging in the air. The 2026 World Cup may still be some distance away, but football careers move quickly. If Ake continues to sit on the bench at club level, questions will eventually be asked about his sharpness, fitness, and rhythm. Koeman played down these fears for now, saying the tournament is still far away, but the warning signs are there. A player of Ake’s experience knows that waiting too long to change course can be dangerous.
This is where the January transfer window enters the conversation. According to reports, Manchester City are open to the idea of letting Ake leave if the right offer arrives. His contract runs until June 2027, which gives City control over the situation, but it also means this January could be a key moment. Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has suggested that City would consider offers around €35 million, roughly £30.8 million. For a 30-year-old defender with injury concerns, this represents a fair valuation, especially given his experience and winning mentality.
Interest is already building. Inter Milan are said to be monitoring the situation closely. The Italian giants recently signed Manuel Akanji from Manchester City and are familiar with the quality City defenders bring. Inter value tactical intelligence, defensive discipline, and experience in big matches, all qualities Ake possesses. A move to Serie A could suit him, offering a slower pace, more tactical structure, and possibly a more consistent starting role.
Juventus are also reportedly interested. The Turin club has a long tradition of strong defenders and has often turned to experienced players to rebuild stability at the back. For Juventus, Ake represents a player who has competed at the highest level, understands pressure, and knows how to win. In Italy, his versatility would be highly valued, and his left-footed balance could solve long-standing issues in their defensive setup.
Closer to home, Crystal Palace have positioned themselves as serious contenders. Palace are searching for a potential replacement for their captain Marc Guehi, who is out of contract next summer. Ake is no stranger to the club, having come through their academy before making his name elsewhere. A return to Palace would carry emotional weight, offering him leadership responsibility, guaranteed minutes, and a chance to be the main man rather than a rotation option.
From Manchester City’s perspective, this potential departure raises complex questions. Ake has never been a disruptive presence. He is professional, respected in the dressing room, and always ready when called upon. Guardiola values such players deeply. Letting him go mid-season could weaken squad depth, especially given City’s demanding schedule across multiple competitions. At the same time, Guardiola has never stood in the way of a player seeking regular football, especially when that player has given everything to the club.
There is also the financial angle. Selling Ake for around €35 million would represent smart business. City signed him for a relatively modest fee from Bournemouth, and recouping that amount while freeing up wages could allow them to reinvest elsewhere. With younger defenders already integrated into the squad, Guardiola may feel the team is ready to move on.
For Ake himself, the decision is deeply personal. He must weigh loyalty against ambition, comfort against challenge. Staying at City means remaining part of an elite environment, training with world-class players, and competing for trophies. Leaving means stepping into uncertainty but also reclaiming control over his career. At 30, with his prime years limited, regular football may matter more than medals won from the bench.
There is also the question of legacy. Ake’s time at Manchester City will always be remembered fondly. He was part of history, part of the treble, part of a dynasty. But footballers are judged not just by what they win, but by how they influence games week after week. Sitting on the sidelines, watching others take the spotlight, can slowly erode confidence and joy.
Fans are divided. Some believe City should keep Ake at all costs, valuing his experience and reliability. Others accept that football is ruthless and that cycles must end. They understand that Ake deserves to play, to feel important again, to be trusted every weekend. For them, a January move makes sense for all parties.
As the weeks pass and the transfer window approaches, the noise around Ake will only grow louder. Every match he does not start will fuel speculation. Every international appearance will remind the world of his quality. Behind the scenes, agents will talk, clubs will negotiate, and Manchester City will weigh their options carefully.
Nathan Ake’s story at Manchester City is not one of failure or disappointment. It is a story of contribution, sacrifice, and quiet excellence. But football does not stand still, and neither can he. Whether he stays or leaves, the coming months will define the next phase of his career. January may bring a new beginning, a fresh challenge, and a chance to feel truly needed again.
For now, Ake trains, waits, and watches. He knows the game well enough to understand that moments like this can change everything. One decision, one move, one chance, and the story continues.
