Everton Get Nathan Ake Green Light After Huge West Ham Transfer Development

Everton have received a major boost in their pursuit of Manchester City defender Nathan Ake following the Dutch international's rejection of a loan move from West Ham United, opening the door for the Toffees in the January transfer window.[2][4]

Ake, a 30-year-old Netherlands international with four Premier League titles and a Champions League winners' medal, has fallen down Pep Guardiola's pecking order at the Etihad. Limited to just one league start since August—against Everton in October—he seeks regular playing time ahead of the World Cup, amid ongoing injury issues that sidelined him last season.[1][3][4]

West Ham, struggling with defensive woes and hovering near the relegation zone after conceding 36 goals in 19 games, approached Ake for a loan with an option to buy if they avoided the drop. However, the player firmly turned it down via his agents, unwilling to join a side in freefall while City remain title contenders.[2][4]

This huge West Ham setback gives Everton fresh hope. The Toffees were linked with Ake last summer but missed out. Now, under new manager David Moyes and owners the Friedkin Group—who plan a quiet window—injuries to key defender Jarrad Branthwaite have created urgency. Moyes admitted Branthwaite is weeks away from return, saying he's "a long way out" and worried about his match sharpness after missing much of the season.[1]

Though not directly mentioned in recent reports, Everton's prior interest positions them well. Rivals like Bournemouth (Ake's former club), Crystal Palace, and even Barcelona eye loans or a £26m sale, but Ake holds ambition for higher-table clubs or abroad. City won't let him go cheaply, prioritizing deals suiting them.[3][4][6]

Moyes sees Ake as the "perfect solution" to Everton's defensive worries, potentially changing transfer plans despite financial caution. With Ake's future uncertain—likely leaving in January or summer amid Dias and Gvardiol's dominance—Everton could reignite talks at Goodison Park (noted as Hill Dickinson Stadium in some reports).[1][7]

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