Newcastle United keen on Premier League title winner following Manchester City transfer decision

Newcastle United are ‘keen’ on making a move for Manchester City defender Nathan Ake after he was reportedly told he was free to leave the Premier League champions.

The Dutch international worked under Magpies manager Eddie Howe during his time at Bournemouth before making a £41million move to the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2020.

Ake made 121 appearances under Howe but has struggled for regular game-time with Pep Guardiola’s side, making just 24 Premier League appearances over the last two seasons.

TalkSPORT have claimed Newcastle are considering a move for the 25-times capped Dutch defender as they look to build on the momentum they gained during an imrpessive second half to the Premier League season.

The Magpies will look to add at least one centre-back to their squad this summer with Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark both set to depart.

Club captain Jamaal Lascelles is reportedly being eyed by former club Nottingham Forest after they secured promotion back into the Premier League following their Championship play-off final win against Huddersfield Town.

United are said to be in discussions with French club Lille over highly-rated centre-back Sven Botman and are showing an interest in Burnley star James Tarkowski, who is set to leave Turf Moor when his contract comes to an end later this month.

Speaking recently of his approach to the summer transfer window, Magpies boss Howe said: “I’m open-minded if it’s the right player for the position. You do have to have an eye on the future.

“I don’t think you can be blind to the fact that if you have a squad that’s at the wrong ages then you can give yourself problems one, two, three years down the line. We don’t want to put ourselves in that position.

“Ideally, you want experience, players that, ideally, have played in the Premier League but, as with Bruno, who’s none of those things, he was the right signing for that position at that time.

“We will take it on an individual basis while acknowledging the fact the club will always have a future and we have to protect that.”

Newcastle are also believed to be making progress in their bid to sign Reims star Hugo Ekitike as they look to add to their attacking options.