Manchester City face the very real prospect of losing yet another depth option to Premier League rivals.
What’s the word?
That is according to a report from Italian journalist Matte Moretto of Relevo who claims that league title rivals Chelsea are “getting closer” to the signing of Nathan Ake.
Taking to his personal Twitter account to issue the update, Moretto said:
“Chelsea works to close the first signing in defense: Nathan Aké, from City, is getting closer. On the table almost 40 million.”
Pep will be gutted
The Cityzens face the prospect of losing four players in the space of a few days, with Gabriel Jesus’ move to Arsenal all set, Fernandinho’s return to Brazil, Raheem Sterling’s possible switch to a deeper shade of blue in Chelsea, and now Ake’s potential move to follow in what would be a return back to his former club.
Should City sell Ake?
Bit by bit, Pep is losing depth options to rival teams, which will surely come as a blow for the Spaniard.
The Netherlands international has made 14 appearances in the Premier League this season, filling in at centre-back on nine occasions and left-back on a further five. Those appearances have equated to 920′ minutes on the pitch.
And whilst this is not a bad run of minutes in a ferociously good City side, the fact that he has made just 40 appearances in all competitions for Pep’s side in the two years he has been there does not bode very well for a player who will be seeking regular minutes in the build-up to his prime years as a footballer.
The fact that he is still in-between positions is not positive either, and with the World Cup just around the corner, a move to Chelsea to take Rudiger’s place as a first-choice left centre-back in a back-three system would perhaps be the ideal move for the 27-year-old.
If City are to lose Ake, only time will tell as to whether Pep will bring in a replacement or delve into their youth options.
AND in other news: MCFC given green light to bid for £67.5m-rated “phenomenon”, supporters will love it
