Everton Eye Move for Manchester City’s Nathan Ake Amidst Injury Crisis and Summer Reinforcements Push

Key Takeaways:

• Everton have identified Manchester City defender Nathan Ake as a target during the final weeks of the transfer window
• Nathan Ake made only 10 Premier League appearances in the 2024-25 season due to injury and was an unused substitute in City’s 4-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday
• Everton are seeking defensive reinforcements after injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaly Mykolenko left them short at the back

Defensive Reinforcements Sought at Goodison Park

Everton are exploring a transfer for Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, as manager David Moyes seeks to strengthen his squad before the transfer deadline. Ake, who is capable of playing both centre back and left back, joined Manchester City from Bournemouth for £41million in 2020 and has since played a key role in City’s defensive success.

The Netherlands international has accumulated 10 trophies at the Etihad, among them four Premier League titles. However, his 2024-25 campaign was hampered by injuries, which limited him to only 10 Premier League appearances. On Saturday, he was an unused substitute during City’s 4-0 win over Wolves.

Everton’s Defensive Problems Intensify

With Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton’s preferred option at left-centre back, sidelined following a training injury, and regular left back Vitaly Mykolenko also absent for the 1-0 defeat by Leeds, Everton’s defensive depth has been severely tested. In the Leeds fixture, central midfielder James Garner was forced to play left back, emphasising the urgency to sign reinforcements.

In addition, captain James Tarkowski missed part of pre-season because of a hamstring problem. Michael Keane and Jake O’Brien—who filled in at right back against Leeds—are currently the only senior centre backs available to Moyes.

🚨 Everton are interested in signing Manchester City and Netherlands defender Nathan Ake to reinforce their defence.

(Source: @MailSport) pic.twitter.com/uUKZM4HoSD

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 22, 2025

Ake’s Prospects at Manchester City

Nathan Ake could face more limited playing time at Manchester City this season. The club added Rayan Ait-Nouri, previously of Wolves, for £31m this summer, and Josko Gvardiol frequently features at left back or on the left of central defence. These arrivals have increased competition for places and could push Ake further down manager Pep Guardiola’s pecking order.

Guardiola, who has consistently spoken about trimming his squad, reiterated his stance before the Wolves match. When asked if his squad was larger than desired, he replied: ‘A little bit, but many clubs have the same.

‘We should [trim the squad], but it’s difficult because I love all of them; I like all of them and they like to be here. So the situation is not easy but they know it.

‘We have a lot of players, tomorrow there will be two players on the tribune, and when players come back it will be four or five at home and of course it’s not an ideal situation.

‘At the same time we have a lot of games, every season is more and more and you have to have another squad to compete in every single game.’

Ake’s Career and Upcoming Fixtures

Nathan Ake, a left-footed defender with 54 caps for the Netherlands, developed at Chelsea and accumulated experience through loan spells at Reading, Watford, and Bournemouth before joining the Cherries permanently in 2017.

Manchester City’s next fixture is against Tottenham on Saturday, while Everton—who have already acquired Jack Grealish from City earlier in the summer—will face Brighton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.