Former Chelsea defender responds to £50m exit talk amid Newcastle United ‘interest’

Nathan Ake has stated his intention to stay at Manchester City next season amid reported interest from Newcastle United.

Speculation broke over the weekend of the Magpies’ apparent interest in the Netherlands international.

The 27-year-old isn’t the only Dutchman to be linked with United this summer with Lille central defender Sven Botman featuring high on the club’s transfer list.

Ake was signed and developed by Eddie Howe at Bournemouth before his £40million to the Ethiad Stadium in 2020.

The ex-Chelsea man started just 10 domestic games for Pep Guardiola’s side last term, with Ruben Dias, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte all above him in the pecking order.

Ake, however, has set his sights on forcing his way into Guardiola’s starting XI, rather than look to go elsewhere.

He told NOS: “Last season was very unhappy due to injuries, I don’t really count that year.

“This season I was really 100 per cent present and I played more. You notice an improvement in yourself, how you play. I felt good.”

Asked about talk of a summer exit, Ake, added: “I will go into the season with that intention. I will do everything I can to play even more.”

City reportedly value Ake at £50m, an asking price Newcastle are unlikely to meet with other options still being explored.