Fenerbahce have announced an agreement to sign Netherlands defender Nathan Ake from Manchester City. The 31-year-old will join the Istanbul club to end a six-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Ake's time at City was decorated with silverware: four Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and two League Cups. The center-back made 105 appearances for the club after arriving from Bournemouth in 2020.
For Fenerbahce, the signing bolsters a defense that currently sits second in the Turkish Super Lig. Adding a player with Ake's Champions League experience could prove pivotal in their domestic title push and European campaigns.
The move marks a significant shift for Ake, who was a rotational piece under Pep Guardiola rather than an undisputed starter. Regular playing time in Istanbul likely factored into his decision to leave Manchester.
No transfer fee was disclosed, but the deal is believed to be in the region of £20 million. Fenerbahce hope to officially register Ake before the winter transfer window closes.
Counter-argument: Ake's injury history at City—he missed 15 matches in two of his six seasons—raises durability concerns for a Fenerbahce side that needs consistent performers in a grueling league campaign.