Manchester City Open Talks with Fenerbahce for Nathan Ake

Manchester City are considering a move to sell Nathan Ake to Turkish side Fenerbahce, with BBC Sport reporting that discussions are underway over a deal worth an initial £7 million. The Dutch international has struggled for regular game time under Pep Guardiola this season, and a departure in the current window appears increasingly likely.

Context: Ake's Role at City This Season

Nathan Ake joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in August 2020 for a reported fee of £41 million. Since then, he has made 75 appearances across all competitions, but has rarely been a first-choice starter. This season, Guardiola has preferred Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji in central defence, while Josko Gvardiol has been deployed at left-back — a position Ake also covers. As a result, Ake has started only three Premier League matches so far in 2025/26.

City's defensive record remains strong: they have kept 10 clean sheets in 21 league games, conceding just 18 goals. Nevertheless, Guardiola appears willing to trim his squad, with Ake deemed surplus to requirements. His contract runs until 2025, with a club option for an additional year, giving City some leverage in negotiations.

Impact and Analysis

A £7 million initial fee would represent a significant loss on City's original investment, but it reflects Ake's limited market value given his lack of playing time. For Fenerbahce, the move would add Premier League experience to their backline as they push for the Turkish Super Lig title. The Istanbul side currently sit second, two points behind Galatasaray, and have the joint-best defensive record in the league with 15 goals conceded in 19 matches.

From a Fantasy Premier League perspective, Ake's departure would have minimal impact. He is owned by only 0.4% of managers and costs £4.4 million. His exit could free up funds for City to pursue other targets, though no incomings have been reported.

  • For City: Selling Ake would reduce squad depth in defence, but Guardiola still has Dias, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol, and Sergio Gomez as options.
  • For Fenerbahce: Adding a versatile defender who can play centre-back and left-back would bolster their title challenge.
  • For Ake: A move to Turkey would offer regular first-team football, potentially revitalising his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

What's Next?

Negotiations are at an early stage, with City holding out for a higher fee — reports suggest they value Ake closer to £10 million. Fenerbahce are expected to return with an improved offer, while other clubs may monitor the situation. The transfer window closes on 31 January, giving both sides two weeks to reach an agreement. If a deal is struck, Ake could become the second Dutchman to join Fenerbahce this month after midfielder Orkun Kokcu's loan move was made permanent.

Filed under: Transfer Rumours | LA Premier League Home