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Nathan Ake Rejects January West Ham Move, Open to Man City Exit
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has rejected a move to West Ham United in January, but is open to leaving, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.
The Netherlands international has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium after falling down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola this season, with Josko Gvardiol moved into a centre-back role and Nico O’Reilly making the left-back spot his own.
Ake wants to play at the World Cup this summer and wants to play regularly to assure himself of a spot in the squad, and West Ham have already made an approach to be his next destination, but he has opted against it.
Sources: Ake Rejects West Ham Move
Ake was a regular for Man City in recent years following a move from Bournemouth, but so far this season the 30-year-old has managed just one Premier League start all season.
GIVEMESPORT sources understand that an exit away from the Etihad Stadium is very much on the cards this winter, with Ake open to leaving, however, a move to the London Stadium will not be happening as things stand, as Ake isn’t interested in joining a club in a relegation battle.
West Ham are keen to add reinforcements to their squad this month for manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with the Hammers currently sat in the relegation zone and five points adrift of Nottingham Forest in safety.
Ake, who earns £200,000-a-week, was an ambitious target for the club but has shown that they are willing to put their money where their mouth is in order to climb the table and avoid a relegation battle.
Reports have emerged that the club have also tabled an £11m bid to sign Viktoria Plzen striker Rafiu Durosinmi in January, although it’s understood they would need to up their offer to get that deal over the line as they face competition from Bundesliga side Stuttgart.
Nuno Espirito Santo Under Pressure
Nuno came into the club earlier this season to replace Graham Potter after a slow start, but the Portuguese boss has struggled to turn things around and GIVEMESPORT understands that he is now under pressure for his job too.
The Hammers board are said to be surprised by his decision not to field a natural striker despite the team’s struggles in front of goal, and former boss Slaven Bilic is being considered for a potential return should the poor results continue.
Espirito Santo has proven in the past that he is more than capable of guiding a team away from relegation once he has a squad that fits his needs, and a January window to do that is at least something that he should be given to shape the squad in his image.
But without wins it becomes more difficult to convince any replacement to come in or for anyone to save them, so he needs to start finding points quickly.
He Wants to Join: West Ham Make Offer to Sign 35-Goal Striker for Nuno Espirito Santo
The Hammers want to land the 6 ft 4 centre-forward in the January transfer window
