West Ham United are back in for Manchester City defender Nathan Ake – but he has picked up another injury just after being hailed by Pep Guardiola.
The Times reported earlier this week that West Ham are looking to sign Ake this summer.
West Ham were linked with Ake during the January window and David Moyes is now considering a new move.
Adding another left-sided centre back in light of Angelo Ogbonna’s injury has to be a priority and Ake would fit the bill.
Sven Botman of Lille is mentioned too, but Ake appears to be a prime target for Moyes.
Guardiola hails West Ham target Ake
Ake is far from a regular starter for City but has started nine Premier League games this season.
The Dutchman is City’s fourth-choice centre back behind Ruben Dias, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte.
You can understand why Ake may fancy heading to West Ham in search of first-team football.
However, Guardiola has hailed Ake having spent £41million on signing him from Bournemouth back in 2020.
“He is so reliable,” said Guardiola. “Especially when you behave in your life like he behaves, you are always going to play good. He’s an exceptional person,” he added.
Ake suffers injury in City win
Ake started for City against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night but was taken off at half time.
The 27-year-old picked up an ankle injury in the 3-0 win over Brighton and now faces a spell on the sidelines.
Ake has picked up niggling muscle injuries throughout his career, often suffering hamstring and groin strains.
That may be a concern for West Ham, who have suffered enough defensive injury blows this season.
Given the huge fee needed to sign Ake, West Ham would be forgiven for wondering whether the injury problems are really worth the gamble.
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