Fenerbahçe candidate pushes for Nathan Aké transfer

Nathan Aké could find himself at the centre of an unexpected transfer battle this summer, with a leading Fenerbahçe presidential candidate reportedly making personal efforts to bring the Manchester City defender to Turkey.

The Dutch international endured a frustrating campaign at the Etihad Stadium and may now face a major decision over his future.

Aké struggled for regular minutes during the 2025/26 season under departing manager Pep Guardiola.

The defender made just 18 Premier League appearances, starting only six matches and accumulating 688 league minutes throughout the campaign.

Despite his lack of playing time at club level, Aké retained the confidence of Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman and earned a place in the World Cup squad.

However, his limited involvement at Manchester City has inevitably increased speculation surrounding a possible summer departure.

According to reports in Turkey, Fenerbahçe presidential candidate Aziz Yıldırım has identified Aké as a priority defensive target.

The former club president is currently campaigning ahead of this weekend's election and has reportedly been actively working on potential transfer plans.

The report claims Yıldırım recently travelled to England to hold discussions regarding a possible move for the Manchester City defender.

If elected, he is prepared to make Aké one of the headline signings of his new project.

Financially, the deal appears achievable from Fenerbahçe's perspective.

Manchester City are reportedly seeking around €11 million for the defender, while Aké's salary demands are believed to be approximately €6 million per season before bonuses.

Yıldırım reportedly believes both figures are manageable and is prepared to pursue the transfer aggressively if he wins the election.

That represents a significant statement of intent from the Turkish giants.

While Fenerbahçe's interest is genuine, convincing Aké may prove more difficult.

There is currently no indication that the defender is considering a move to Turkey.

Given his experience at the highest level, the 31-year-old would likely attract interest from clubs across Europe's top five leagues should he become available.

That could provide him with alternative options offering higher-profile competitions and greater visibility.

The outcome of Fenerbahçe's presidential election could play a major role in determining whether this interest develops into a formal transfer attempt.

Meanwhile, Aké is expected to focus on the World Cup before making any decisions about his club future. With a new managerial era approaching at Manchester City and regular football increasingly important at this stage of his career, a summer move cannot be ruled out.

Whether that destination is Turkey or another major European league remains to be seen.

Would Nathan Aké be a smart signing for Fenerbahçe, or should he remain in one of Europe's top five leagues if he leaves Manchester City?