Romano reveals ex-Chelsea target ‘reaches agreement’ over ‘new long-term deal’ at Man City

Nathan Ake is set to commit his future to Manchester City, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Dutch defender joined the Cityzens for a fee in the region of £40million in August 2020.

Having been relegated with Bournemouth, conceding 65 Premier League goals in 2019/20, many questioned why Manchester City would pay £40million for Ake.

After struggling for game time in his first two seasons at the Etihad, Ake became a crucial player in Pep Guardiola’s defence last term, helping them win a historic Treble.

Before his impressive 22/23, Ake was linked with a return to Chelsea as then-Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel chased a left-footed centre-back.

A move to Stamford Bridge did seem pretty realistic at the time but the player stayed to play a big part in City’s Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup success.

And the 28-year-old is set to be rewarded for a fine campaign with a brand new contract, says Italian journalist Romano.

Romano reported on Monday morning that Ake is close to agreeing a new deal with talks “advanced”.

On Tuesday evening, he then said “here we go” for the defender’s contract extension. Ake will earn an increase in his salary, which is said to be £4.8m a year, as per Spotrac.

Romano said: “Manchester City have reached an agreement with Nathan Ake, it’s done — set to be sealed in the next days.

“After talks progressing earlier this week, verbal agreement reached today. New long term deal in place with salary to be increased. Here we go.”

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Ake was used as a left-back last term in a completely dominant Manchester City team.

Out of possession (which is pretty rare), you would see the Dutch international on the left of a back four, but on the ball, he would play in what appeared to be back a three, with John Stones stepping up to accompany Rodri in midfield.

Joao Cancelo lost his place in the team as Ake was better suited to the system and City boss Guardiola said much of his team’s success was down to having “proper defenders” in the full-back position.

Speaking about Ake in May, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “He has been fundamental.

“I learned this season when you play against (Bukayo) Saka, Vinicius (Jr), (Gabriel) Martinelli, (Mohamed) Salah or (Sadio) Mane in the past, you need a proper defender to win duels one-on-one.

“Or, in the Champions League, at that level, they need one action to beat you. And Nathan gave us that boost that I didn’t have in the past.

“The biggest boost was having a proper defender and in the past we didn’t have it and Nathan, (Manuel) Akanji and [Kyle] Walker did it.”

Pep also told CBS Sports pundit Thierry Henry a few weeks later – following the Champions League final win over Inter: “You cannot play 80, 90 minutes, or try to play a lot of minute, and be open in that way. And conceding every time you lose the ball and make a transition. That would be silly.

“[Manuel] Akanji is a proper defender…has incredible focus. Kyle [Walker] has the ability to defend the most dangerous wingers in the world.

“Be a good defender…I consider it the biggest talent in football. And now we have players who enjoy defending.”

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