Newcastle have reportedly emerged as a contender to sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City. Alan Shearer thinks Manchester City overpaid Bournemouth to sign Newcastle target Ake in 2020.
Eddie Howe signed Ake from Chelsea at Bournemouth, initially on loan before securing a permanent deal. But after Howe failed to keep his side in the Premier League after 19-20, Manchester City swooped.
The Netherlands international cost Manchester City a huge £40million (GOAL). An expensive fee, given he has gone on to play just 40 times in two seasons. He only managed 13 appearances in the first season.
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Costing £1million per game, TalkSPORT now report that Ake is a target for Newcastle. Howe is eyeing a reunion with the ex-Chelsea man – but Shearer is not a big fan of Ake, suggesting City overpaid.
“I am not saying it in hindsight because I did say it before the game that Ake doesn’t fill me with great confidence. I thought it was a lot of money to pay for him,” Shearer told PLP in August 2021, as per HITC.
Shearer: Manchester City overpaid to sign Newcastle target Ake
Newcastle need a left-footed defender. Ciaran Clark is likely to leave the club this summer, and Howe’s current options include Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar. Ake would be ideal.
But is Shearer right? Is he a £40million defender? It is difficult to tell. Mostly, because he is not playing regular football and having the likes of Rodri or Fernandinho in front of you does make it easier.
Would Newcastle have to pay the same fee Manchester City did to get him? One would suggest his difficulties at City might allow Newcastle or other interested parties to get him for a slightly smaller fee.
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