Ake to stay at Man City after Chelsea refuse to meet asking price
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 15 Jul 2022 09:55 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake will not be leaving the club this summer despite heavy interest from former club Chelsea.
The Dutch international was set to be involved in a Blues raid of Man City, along with forward Raheem Sterling, who has joined Chelsea for £47.5 million.
However, The Athletic's David Ornstein has now reported that any hope of signing Ake and completing the double swoop have now ended.
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It's believed that Man City were never looking to sell Ake this summer unless their valuation of the player was met. It's not known how much Pep Guardiola's side valued the former Chelsea academy graduate, but the price wanted was not something that the Blues were willing to pay.
The West London club had shown serious interest in re-signing Ake and were hoping to agree a deal as they look to replace the departed Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. However, that will not happen now following news than the two clubs haven't come to an agreement on a fee, and the deal stopped in its tracks because the terms were not what Man City wanted.
Ornstein has reported that the decision for Ake to stay has been made mutually, with the ex-Bournemouth star pleased to be staying at the club as he is a popular member within the dressing room.
Ake to stay, but Zinchenko to leave?
While Man City will not lose Ake this summer, it's likely that they will see fellow defender Oleksandr Zinchenko leave the club.
The Ukraine international is reportedly in talks with Arsenal, who are managed by Guardiola's former assistant Mikel Arteta. Zinchenko would be the second player to move from the Etihad Stadium to the Emirates this summer if he joins, following Gabriel Jesus' transfer earlier in the window.
It's believed that Man City will sanction a sale for the player, but like with Ake, a deal will only happen if their valuation is met.
Chelsea have turned their attention to Paris Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe following news of City's transfer decision on Ake, while Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is expected to complete his move to Stamford Bridge.
