Ake set to join Fenerbahce, Man City surprised by deal announcement

Nathan Ake is set to leave Manchester City to join Fenerbahce in a deal worth at least £7 million ($9.3 million).

The Turkish giants on Friday announced they had agreed a deal for the 31-year-old Netherlands defender, but the Press Association understands City were surprised by the timing of that statement with the transfer not yet fully complete.

Talks have been held over a deal which would see Fenerbahce pay an initial £7 million fee, potentially rising to £8.5 million with add-ons.

A Fenerbahce statement said: “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.”

It would see the 31-year-old Ake end a six-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, during which he has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and two Carabao Cups.

However, he struggled for regular playing time in Pep Guardiola’s final season as City boss, with only six of his 18 Premier League appearances coming from the start.

Ake, a £41 million signing from Bournemouth in the summer of 2020, had one season left on the four-year contract he signed following City’s Champions League success in the summer of 2023.

Ake featured in three of the Netherlands’ four games at the World Cup, starting two, but was replaced in the 71st minute of their last-32 tie against Morocco which ended in a penalty shootout defeat on Tuesday.

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim had reportedly made Ake a key transfer target prior to his election last month.

Fenerbahce finished as runners-up in the Turkish Super Lig last season.