AC Milan Make Nathan Ake Move As Ronald Koeman Gives Transfer His Blessing
Milan now have a concrete interest in the Manchester City defender.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 28 January 2026
Nathan Ake is wanted by AC Milan, who have reportedly made a move for the Manchester City defender.
Speculation linking Ake and Milan began a few weeks ago when the Rossoneri set their sights on the Dutchman.
Now, Milan have apparently moved for Ake as the January transfer window deadline looms ever closer.
However, it looks as though things won’t be easy for the Rossoneri in pursuit of the Manchester City ace.
Nathan Ake: why Manchester City have said no to AC Milan
Nathan Ake has struggled for regular game time at Manchester City this season, sparking rumours of a possible move away.
Dutch outlet Voetbal International have reported that AC Milan have asked City about the Netherlands defender.
So far, Pep Guardiola has responded negatively, with City unwilling to let Ake leave this month.
That stance is linked to injuries in City’s defence, which have reduced Guardiola’s options.
Josko Gvardiol, John Stones and Ruben Dias are all out, and the arrival of Marc Guehi is not enough to justify letting Ake go.
Nathan Ake: the big personal dilemma ahead of 2026 World Cup
Nathan Ake has played 20 matches across the Premier League and domestic cups, totalling 991 minutes.
He has started 10 times, but five of those starts came in the FA Cup (one) and League Cup (four).
In the Netherlands, there is a belief that Ake’s situation could nonetheless change before the deadline.
Ronald Koeman has made it clear that only players featuring consistently will be in the World Cup picture.
A jaw-dropping goal-line clearance from @NathanAke! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/n2nfYR7aGm
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 18, 2025
Calciomercato, who relayed VI’s report, have suggested that Koeman ‘backs the move’.
A second half of the season spent as a reserve could seriously damage Ake’s chances of selection.
That is why the former Bournemouth and Watford player could push for a move to secure minutes.
Milan are still watching closely, but any deal would need agreement on a fee and on Ake’s salary.
He is reported to earn around €10m gross per year in England, a major factor for any Italian move.
In other news, sweeping boardroom changes at Milan are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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