City's rebuild accelerates as Ake departs for Fenerbahçe

Nathan Ake has left Manchester City to join Turkish giants Fenerbahçe on a permanent deal, with the fee reported as £7 million plus £1.5 million in add‑ons, potentially reaching £8.5 million. The Dutch defender ends a six‑year spell at the Etihad after contributing to four Premier League crowns and a Treble. Ake arrived from Bournemouth in 2020 and quickly became a left‑footed, physically robust option for Pep Guardiola, capable of playing across the back line. He featured in the Netherlands squad at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in North America and helped City secure the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his final season. His composure and ability to adapt made him a useful squad asset across multiple campaigns. Director of football Hugo Viana highlighted that the sale fits his strategy of freeing wages and squad places rather than maximising transfer income, especially after Enzo Maresca took over a defence that had undergone considerable change. The reported £7 million base fee is modest compared with the £116 million spent on Elliot Anderson, underscoring the club’s pragmatic approach to early‑summer dealings. Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan reported the fee structure as £7 million plus £1.5 million in add‑ons. Viana has been tasked with reshaping the defensive unit inherited by Maresca, and Ake’s exit clears a key senior spot.

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Fenerbahçe announced the agreement, viewing Ake as a signing who brings significant experience from four Premier League title‑winning campaigns and recent World Cup exposure. The Turkish side’s active summer in the European market suggests they expect the defender’s leadership to bolster their back line as they compete domestically and in Europe. Fenerbahçe confirmed that Ake has signed personal terms, though the length of his contract remains undisclosed. In his farewell interview, Ake said, “It’s been a privilege to represent Manchester City over the past six years and I’m so grateful to have been part of a special team,” adding that he will always cherish the memories of winning the Treble and the league titles. Hugo Viana later described Ake as “an outstanding, model professional” who set high standards at the club, signalling that his departure marks both a personal milestone and a step in City’s ongoing rebuild. The move gives Ake a fresh challenge in Istanbul while allowing City to continue its rebuilding process under Guardiola.