Fenerbahce reaches agreement to sign Nathan Ake: Closing out six brilliant years at Man City.
Defender Nathan Ake is set to join Fenerbahce for £8.5 million after losing his starting place at the Etihad, marking a major squad overhaul under manager Enzo Maresca.
Turkish club Fenerbahce has officially announced that they have reached an agreement to sign defender Nathan Ake from Manchester City. This deal marks the end of the Dutch international's glorious six-year journey at the Etihad Stadium, as the Manchester club is undergoing a major personnel overhaul.
According to sources in England, although Fenerbahce has made an official announcement, Manchester City has yet to confirm the final terms. Nathan Ake, currently 31 years old, has only one year left on his contract with the reigning Premier League champions. The Etihad Stadium club is reportedly willing to accept a transfer fee of around £8.5 million (equivalent to $11.4 million) – a modest figure compared to the £40 million they paid to sign him from Bournemouth in 2020.
The end of a tactical "trump card".
Ake's departure wasn't entirely unexpected after a difficult 2025-26 season. Under Pep Guardiola, the Dutch defender gradually lost his place, making only six starts in the Premier League. However, Ake's professionalism was still recognized when he agreed to stay and support the team during the January transfer window, a time when Man City's defense was in disarray due to injuries to Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and John Stones.
At the international level, Ake's form has also been affected by the overall decline of the Dutch national team. Most recently, he and the "Orange Tornado" experienced a forgettable World Cup when they were eliminated by Morocco in the round of 16 after a tense penalty shootout.
The legacy at Etihad and the purge under Enzo Maresca
Nathan Ake departs as one of the most versatile and reliable defenders in Manchester City's modern history. In 177 appearances, he often played the role of an unsung hero, culminating in his full 90-minute performance in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan, a 1-0 victory that helped complete the historic treble.
| Career statistics at Man City | Quantity/Achievement |
|---|---|
| Number of appearances | 177 |
| English Premier League | 4 championships |
| Champions League | 1 championship (2023) |
| FA Cup | 2 championships |
| League Cup | 3 championships |
Ake's departure is part of a major wave of changes at the Etihad this summer. With new manager Enzo Maresca replacing Pep Guardiola, Man City is undertaking a large-scale squad overhaul. Before Ake, key players like Bernardo Silva (who moved to Real Madrid) and John Stones also said goodbye, signaling the dawn of a new era at the blue half of Manchester.
