Expert: Man City would accept 'significant' Everton offer for defender
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
(Credit: Getty Images, Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Tue 26 August 2025 17:49, UK
Everton are accelerating a move to sign Man City defender Nathan Ake as they prepare for a busy end to the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Pep Guardiola is prepared to cash in on the 30-year-old.
The Man City boss has overseen wide-scale changes to his side over the summer, and is now focusing on selling some of the fringe players to balance the books.
This comes as Brown told Football Insider that Man City are aiming to accelerate player sales after Guardiola make clear his demands to trim his squad.
Ake’s ability to play at left-back would allow David Moyes to strengthen another key area of his side while also adding quality strength in depth to his defence.
Meanwhile, Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to be ruled out until the end of September with a hamstring injury, and Ake would be viewed as competition for the centre-back.
Nathan Ake is a transfer target for Everton.
(Credit: Getty Images)
This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Having already signed 19-year-old Adam Aznou to strengthen at left-back, Moyes is now set to address other key areas of his defense to upgrade his squad.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period and worked closely with Moyes at West Ham, insisted Ake is “exactly” the type of player the boss wants.
“I hear Everton have been looking at Nathan Ake,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s exactly the sort of player Moyesey will be looking for, because he’s got plenty of experience at the top level playing regularly and winning trophies with Man City.
“Plus, he can play at centre-back and left-back, which have both been key positions for them.
“He’s steady, strong, consistent and dependable and that’s what Everton need at the back.
“From a Man City point of view, we know Pep Guardiola wants to trim his squad.
Pep Guardiola is planning to sell first-team players.
(Credit: Imago)
“Ake isn’t part of his usual first-choice back line like he has been in the past.
“He isn’t playing week in week out for them any more, so they might look at him, at 30 years old, and think now is the time to cash in.
“So if Everton were to come in with a good or significant offer for him, I think they could let him go.
“It’s one of those again where it makes sense for Everton, bringing in a good player, it makes sense for City to cash in, and it makes sense for him to go and play.”
Another defender who has been linked with a move away from Man City in recent weeks is Manuel Akanji, amid speculation surrounding a move to Galatasaray.
Football Insider revealed on 22 August that Akanji could reject a move to Galatasaray as he remains keen to stay at Man City beyond the end of the transfer window.
Manuel Akanji could leave Man City.
(Credit: Imago)
This comes after the defender disputed claims from Fabrizio Romano that a deal had been agreed for his transfer, throwing his situation into uncertainty.
Given the injury issues of the likes of John Stones and City’s defensive problems the Switzerland international remains an important squad player at the Etihad.
For more Man City and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.
Related Posts