MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 19:23:58| >> :120:4997:4997:

Manchester City 'step up Nathan Ake contract talks'

Manchester City 'step up Nathan Ake contract talks'
© Reuters
Manchester City prepare to accelerate contract discussions with Dutch defender Nathan Ake, according to a report.

Manchester City are reportedly preparing to accelerate contract discussions with Nathan Ake, with the club determined to sign the defender to a new long-term deal.

The 28-year-old made the move to the Citizens from Bournemouth in 2020, and he has represented the club on 80 occasions, scoring seven times in the process.

Ake has been in impressive form for Pep Guardiola's side this season, featuring 40 times in all competitions, scoring three goals.

The Netherlands international has struggled with injuries in recent weeks, but he returned from a hamstring problem in the 1-0 loss to Brentford in the Premier League at the end of May.

Ake is also in the squad for the 2023 Champions League final, where Man City will be looking to beat Italian giants Inter Milan in order to complete a treble.

Manchester City's Nathan Ake celebrates scoring their third goal with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne on December 22, 2022© Reuters

The Dutchman has another two years left to run on his deal, but according to Football Insider, Man City have stepped up contract discussions with the defender.

The report claims that Guardiola is a huge admirer of Ake and views him as a vital part of his plans moving forward.

Ake is also said to be determined to extend his stay in Manchester, having finally established himself as an important player for the English champions.

The versatile defender was strongly linked with a return to Chelsea during last summer's transfer window, but the two clubs could not come to an agreement over a transfer fee.

Nathan Ake celebrates scoring for Manchester City on January 27, 2023© Reuters

Ake started 22 of Man City's 38 Premier League matches during the 2022-23 campaign, while six of his seven Champions League appearances this term have come from the first whistle.

A 36-time Netherlands international, the defender started his professional career at Chelsea but found it difficult to make the breakthrough and eventually moved to Bournemouth on a permanent basis in 2017.

The defender's form for the Cherries led to Man City signing him, and he has won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one EFL Cup during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

The Citizens are currently being heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, and the Croatian's arrival could lead to Aymeric Laporte leaving the club in search of regular starts.

ID:515991:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4326:

Nathan Ake future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Nathan Ake

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte pictured on February 12, 2023
Read Next:
Man City 'open to Laporte offers once they find a replacement'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!