West Ham United identify Manchester City star to address losing run

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Fernandinho of Manchester City protesting referee Jonathan Moss' decision to award a penalty and send off Kyle Walker during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Fernandinho of Manchester City protesting referee Jonathan Moss' decision to award a penalty and send off Kyle Walker during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus) /
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It is looking increasingly unlikely with each passing day that Nathan Ake would be able to cement his place in Pep Guardiola’s XI at Manchester City.

Following his £41 million move last summer, many expected that Ake will be a regular feature in Pep’s starting XI more often than not but that has not been the case for Dutchman.

Ake only made 10 appearances last season for the Cityzens and has managed to feature only five times this season. With the likes of Ruden DIas, John Stones, and Aymeric Laporte ahead of him in the pecking order, the 26-year-old certainly has an uphill climb in front of him, if at all he is looking for regular game-time.

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With City not too keen to bank on Ake, 90min understands that West Ham United are prepared to make a move for Nathan Ake this winter after Angelo Ogbonna suffered an ACL tear in the Hammers’ 3-2 victory against Liverpool a few weeks back.

The Hammers are willing to strike a loan deal with an obligation to buy, with the Cityzens for Nathan Ake, the source reports.

It is understood that Ake will also serve as the cover for Kurt Zouma, who made his move to the West Londoners this past summer window from Chelsea.

The Cityzens will not mind letting Ake leave but it will be interesting to see the deal that the reigning Premier League champions would strike with West Ham. Moreover, with West Ham United establishing themselves as a genuine presence in the top four, City will be vary of their rivals and thus, will look to get Declan Rice into the picture.

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Rice has been tipped to make a move to Manchester with both, Manchester United and City being linked with the Englishman. The Hammers will certainly demand a fee in excess of £100 million for the highly-rated midfielder, who also, was England’s best player in the Euro 2020 this year.

Nothing can be said for sure but it is not bold to assume that the Cityzens will look to take advantage of Declan Rice’s ambition of European glory if at all the Hammers coming knocking on their door for Nathan Ake.