Nathan Ake admits that he ‘wants to continue’ at Premier League champions Manchester City amid reports suggesting he could reunite with Eddie Howe at Newcastle United, speaking to De Telegraaf.
Money cannot buy you everything your heart desires.
Newcastle United are finding that out the hard way, their pursuit of a top-class centre-half ongoing with not even a glint of light at the end of a long and winding tunnel.
Sven Botman told ESPN on Monday night that talks over a move to AC Milan are ‘progressing’. Goncalo Inacio will only leave Sporting Lisbon for a club fighting for silverware. Diego Carlos, meanwhile, will be wearing the claret-and-blue of Aston Villa in 2022/23.
According to The Sun, the Saudi-backed Magpies had turned their attention to Howe’s former Bournemouth stalwart Ake.
But, despite playing a back-seat role as City secured yet another Premier League title last season, the £50 million-rated Dutch international is not going to give up his place in arguably the greatest club side in European football without a fight.
Newcastle target Nathan Ake wants to stay at Man City
“I am going to show myself even more next season. In principle, I just want to continue at City,” says Ake, enthused about the prospect of pitting his wits against new team-mate Erling Haaland next term.
“That will be fun in training. He is, of course, very powerful and has a nose for goal. In the way we play, we may need that type of player too. He’s a very different type of player than we have now. I think he is a very good asset.”
The Sun believe that Ake’s £80,000-a-week wages would not be a problem for Newcastle. The issue lies not with the funds at Howe’s disposal but in trying to convince players already plying their trade at the very top level that they should take a punt on a project rather than a club capable of offering Champions League football.
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