Nathan Ake rejects Premier League transfer amid push to leave Manchester City

Nathan Ake has rejected a move to West Ham, talkSPORT understands.

Ake is open to leaving Manchester City this month but is not keen on joining a team in relegation trouble.

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The 30-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola amid a succession of injury problems and struggles to break his way into the starting line-up.

That has seen the defender feature eight times in Premier League matches this season, starting just twice.

Premier League and La Liga interest

But with just 18 months remaining on his contract, Ake is interesting potential suitors ahead of January’s transfer window.

Bournemouth, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are among the clubs monitoring Ake’s situation.

Manchester City are understood to value Ake at around £21million which may put off interested parties.

Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona could move for Ake with boss Hansi Flick looking for defensive reinforcements following an injury to Andreas Christensen.

However, City’s asking fee is likely to see the cash-strapped Catalan’s pull out of any possible deal.

One club who are unlikely to get their hands on Ake is West Ham after the defender rebuffed their approach.

Nuno’s shortlist

West Ham are desperate for reinforcements that could turn around their failing fortunes.

The Hammers sit in the bottom three, five points from safety, and in need of some fresh impetus to give them a genuine shot at survival.

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The appointment of boss Nuno Espirito Santo has done little to improve his side’s performances with West Ham winless in their last seven Premier League outings.

Ake’s snub is unlikely to deter West Ham from adding to their squad in January.

The Portuguese boss, whose job is already at risk, is in dire need of a striker while a defender remains a priority due to West Ham’s poor defensive record this term.

Only Wolves have conceded more times than West Ham and an experienced centre-back is high on Nuno’s wishlist.

As for Ake, it remains to be seen whether his Manchester City adventure will continue when the transfer window closes.

The defender moved to the Etihad Stadium from Bournemouth in 2020 and has gone on to enjoy a decorated spell at the club.

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Ake has lifted the Premier League on four occasions as well as the FA Cup, while his crowning moment came in City’s Champions League triumph in 2023.