Nathan Ake Staying At Manchester City Despite Chelsea Interest

Nathan Ake will remain at Manchester City for the upcoming 2022/23 campaign.

Ake, who has made 40 appearances and won two Premier League titles since his £41 million move from Bournemouth in 2020, had been strongly linked with a possible return to Stamford Bridge - the club where the 27 year-old began his English footballing career.

Thomas Tuchel was preparing for a double swoop on the Premier League Champions.

It had been widely claimed that the West London club wanted to add both Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake to their squad.

Sterling completed a £47.5 million move to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, ending a seven-year stay at the Etihad Stadium, where the Englishman won four Premier League titles.

Meanwhile, reports claimed that Chelsea were also edging towards completing a deal for Nathan Ake, for example on Thursday, Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard claimed that Chelsea had 'agreed a deal in principle' to sign the 27 year-old, but any transfer would be subject to the Sky Blues signing a replacement.

Chelsea have agreed a deal in principle to sign Nathan Ake for around £45M, but are waiting for #ManCity to sign a replacement before they give the player the green light to leave.

[via @NizaarKinsella]

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 14, 2022

However, the Dutchman will be remaining at the Etihad Stadium for the upcoming season, after David Ornstein reported that Ake would be staying with the Premier League Champions.

The Athletic write that a 'mutual decision' has been taken and that Manchester City are 'happy' for the Dutch defender to remain at the club - where he is a popular member of Guardiola's squad.

Nathan Ake is pleased to be remaining at #ManCity, while @ManCity are happy for him to remain at the club.

[via @David_Ornstein] https://t.co/vb19ISaXHg

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 15, 2022

City, who have undergone a squad refresh over the course of the summer with numerous arrivals and departures, would only have sold Ake should their valuation of the player be met, something which Chelsea reportedly failed to do.

Nathan Aké. Manchester City. 🇳🇱💙pic.twitter.com/vvSbAgBAH8

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 15, 2022

The Blues have so far added Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega to their squad.

Guardiola's side travel to the USA for friendlies on Saturday, as they ramp up preparations for the new season which begins next month.

City travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on the opening day of the campaign, with a hectic start to the season due to the pause for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Nathan Ake made 27 appearances for Manchester City last season, scoring three goals and helping the Blues to a fourth Premier League title in five years.

Ake is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2025.