It has been confirmed that Nathan Aké is no longer a Manchester City player and will be joining Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahçe. This is fantastic news for Sarı-Lacivertliler, who are keen on strengthening their defense next season. An experienced defender like Ake can bolster their squad as they aim for domestic and European glory next season.
While there are no confirmed figures, it is believed the deal is worth anything between £7 million and £8.5 million with add-ons. The move signs off the 31-year-old from the Etihad, where he has called home since his sensational £41 million signing from Bournemouth in the summer of 2020. Aké still had one year left in his latest four-year contract signed in 2023.
Shocking But Strategic Move
Aké’s move has been a shocking one, considering we never heard any rumors whatsoever, just Fenerbahçe’s statement that reads, “Our club has reached an agreement with and signed a contract with Nathan Ake, a player for the Dutch national team. Ake, who has been playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will join our team at the Austrian training camp after his leave of absence.’’
Apparently, Fenerbahçe’s president, Aziz Yıldırım, had already made Aké a top summer transfer target long before his election last month, and that explains the quiet and decisive transfer. It even gets more intriguing as Manchester City have remained mum, and actually, many pundits say City was caught off guard considering Fener made the announcement even before the transfer was sealed.
Distasteful Exit, Fantastic Career
Even though Nathan Aké leaves on not-so-good terms with City, it is worth noting that he has had a successful stint at Manchester City with accolades that even some top defenders can only dream of. He has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two Carabao Cups and the coveted UEFA Champions League.
Upon his arrival at the Etihad, Nathan Aké was one of the top defenders in the team and was a regular in Guardiola’s armoury. But he fell down the pecking order, maybe because of the stiff competition from the likes of Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov. Last season, he started in just 6 games of the 18 he made an appearance in.
Lack of playing time is probably the main reason he made his move, but it could be a hasty decision considering Guardiola left, and he could be in the plans of Maresca, City’s new coach.
A Hit or a Miss for Fenerbahçe?
All said and done, the Dutch defender will be joining Fener, and the big question is: will he live up to the club’s expectations?
Well, there are mixed reactions. Aké has been a promising star since his days with the Cherries and was a key part of the Man City squad in his early years at the Etihad. But it reached a point where he fell out of favor with his manager, so there are doubting Thomases saying he might flop.
But if his current performance at the 2026 World Cup is anything to go by, Fenerbahçe might have found the missing piece in their defensive struggles. He made 3 appearances and was solid enough for the Flying Dutchmen.
The Turkish outfit will get value for money considering his wealth of experience, tactical intelligence, and versatility, as he is comfortable at both centre-back and left-back. He also remains composed in possession, with the ability to read the game and consistently deliver in high-pressure matches.
After securing Aké’s signature, it’s like Fenerbahçe are not slowing down, as there are rumors they are also targeting Dutch international Virgil van Dijk, to possibly pair up with him. Fener is also linked with other stars, including Lesley Igochukwu, Moise Kean, and Ollie Watkins.
