Crystal Palace Target Manchester City’s Nathan Ake to Fill Guehi Void Next Summer

Key Takeaways:

• Crystal Palace will seek to replace outgoing captain Marc Guehi at the conclusion of his contract next summer
• Nathan Ake of Manchester City has emerged as a primary defensive target and could be available with one year left on his current deal
• Elsewhere, Real Madrid intend to pursue Erling Haaland in 2026 if Vinicius Jr departs, while Arsenal are monitoring Rafael Leao

Defensive Overhaul Looms for Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are positioning themselves as strong contenders to acquire Nathan Ake from Manchester City, as they look to reinforce their back-line following the impending departure of captain Marc Guehi. Guehi, who will leave Selhurst Park when his contract expires at the end of the season, has been identified by several European giants including Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid as a potential signing.

🚨 Crystal Palace are considering making a move for Manchester City's Netherlands defender Nathan Ake next summer.

Palace will have a glaring hole in their starting XI that must be filled next summer. Marc Guéhi – the club’s captain – will leave Selhurst Park when his contract… pic.twitter.com/2xUMFDuIpx

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 30, 2025

As a result, manager Oliver Glasner faces the challenge of sourcing a high-quality replacement to avoid a significant drop in defensive standards. Nathan Ake, a four-time Premier League champion and 30-year-old Dutch international, has been on Palace’s radar since last summer and remains a serious candidate according to Sportingpedia sources.

Ake’s Position at Manchester City

Reports indicate Manchester City are evaluating their own options at centre-back, which could pave the way for Ake’s departure. This season, the experienced defender has only started once in the Premier League, and will enter the 2026 summer transfer window with just one year left on his deal. City are understood to be considering a sale to capitalise on his value, with insiders describing an exit as a “distinct possibility.”