Newcastle United may well end up signing a top player from Man City, but after the links to Oscar Bobb came and went, a new name has been linked.
Amid the latest reports and transfer rumours around Newcastle last week, Oscar Bobb was thought to have been offered to the Magpies.
The only issue is that Newcastle don’t necessarily need another winger. What Newcastle do need, however, is a defender or two.
Who is Newcastle’s best ever January signing? ✍
PIF have plans to spend £100m in January, with a full-back and a new midfielder top of the list. Given the injuries to Dan Burn and Sven Botman, though, we could well see a centre-back join that shopping list.
That’s where Man City could come in, as fresh reports suggest Newcastle are one of the clubs looking at Nathan Ake.
Newcastle United want Nathan Ake
The information comes from talkSPORT, with claims that Ake is unhappy with his game time at City and is keen to move on at this stage of his career.
It is said Ake has already rejected a loan switch to West Ham ahead of the January transfer window as he is not willing to be involved in a relegation battle.
Now, Newcastle face competition from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth for the Dutchman. The only problem is that Ake will have to convince Pep Guardiola to let him go.
There is a belief that the City boss would be reluctant to weaken his squad during the ongoing title challenge.
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Why Nathan Ake would be ideal for Newcastle
The great thing about signing Ake, assuming it’s a loan deal, is that he would significantly strengthen Newcastle’s backline without burdening them with the long-term commitment of having a very highly-paid 31-year-old on the books.
To have someone like Ake, who has played and won trophies at the highest level, would be a huge boost for Newcastle. We’ve seen how impressive Malick Thiaw has been this season, but he’s not had a consistent and competent partner next to him yet.
Ake is a natural left-sided centre-back who is brilliant on the ball, has composure and physicality, and he would slot into Howe’s system perfectly.
The fact he can also fill in at left-back in an emergency would be a bonus, too.
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