"Look out in the background..." - Journalist drops teasing Newcastle transfer claim on £50m star

Newcastle will be in the conversation to sign Nathan Ake if he becomes available, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Eddie Howe is in the market for a centre-back this summer and could link up with the Dutchman at St James’ Park.

With Newcastle yet to secure a deal for Sven Botman despite talks being held, the Toon Army are now targeting a move for Ake, who could be surplus to requirements at the Etihad.

TalkSPORT believe the Netherlands international has been told by City he can leave this summer after making just 17 top-flight starts since he signed from Bournemouth two years ago.

The Sun believe the 27-year-old will cost Newcastle up to £50m, which is £10m more than City paid Howe’s former side in 2020.

Howe was keen to sign him in January but ended up bringing in Dan Burn from Brighton.

The Magpies boss is still desperate to bolster his defensive numbers, though, and remains keen on linking up with Ake, who he spent four years working with at Bournemouth, although Chelsea are also in the race.

When asked about Newcastle’s interest, he told GIVEMESPORT: “Eddie Howe loves him, he’s had him on his mind for quite a while now.

“He recommended him as a signing for the summer and he’s potentially going to be available, so of all the people being mentioned, look out in the background, if anything starts to happen with Nathan Ake, Newcastle will probably be in the conversation.”

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According to WhoScored, Ake outperformed any of Newcastle’s centre-backs, with his 6.99 rating higher than Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez.

However, City won 12 of the 14 Premier League games that he started, with the Premier