Man City 'tell Nathan Ake he can leave' as Newcastle eye transfer swoop

Manchester City have reportedly told defender Nathan Ake that he is free to leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer transfer window.

Reports from talkSPORT suggest that City have allowed the Dutch centre-back to leave Manchester this summer and that Newcastle United would be keen on signing the defender as they look to climb towards the European places next season.

A move for Ake would see him reunited with Eddie Howe, who bought Ake to Bournemouth, initially on loan, in 2016. Ake spent four years with the Cherries and played 121 times in all competitions for them before he joined City for £41million two years ago, with much of Ake’s best form on the south coast coming under Howe.

Ake has not been much of a regular for City during his two years at the Etihad Stadium. While has been a part of two title-winning sides in the Premier League, the Dutch international defender has made just 24 top-flight appearances across his two terms under Guardiola.

TalkSPORT claim that Newcastle are keen on bringing the defender to the north east this summer despite completing the permanent signing of Dan Burn from Brighton and Hove Albion in January. Newcastle also signed England right-back Kieran Trippier in January and left-back Matt Target from Aston Villa, although Targett’s arrival was only on loan until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

Newcastle have also been linked with a number of other centre-backs ahead of the summer transfer window officially opening next Friday, June 10.

Burnley ’s James Tarkowski has been linked as he is set to become a free agent following the Clarets’ relegation down to the Championship. Lille’s Sven Botman has also been credited with interest from the Magpies, as has Diego Carlos, who completed a