Perfect Guehi Replacement: Crystal Palace Eye Move to Sign £200,000-a-Week Star

Crystal Palace Target Manchester City’s Nathan Ake as Potential Guehi Replacement

Crystal Palace are reportedly preparing a summer move for Manchester City defender Nathan Ake, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Selhurst Park club have identified the Dutch international as a possible successor to captain Marc Guehi, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Guehi is widely expected to leave, with top European clubs Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid all showing interest in his signature.

Palace have long admired Ake and even explored the possibility of signing him last summer. The 30-year-old’s current deal with City runs until 2026, but by the end of this season he will have just one year left, making a cut-price transfer possible.

Ake Seen as the Perfect Fit for Palace

Jones suggests that Manchester City could be open to letting Ake go next summer, viewing it as one of their last opportunities to secure a fee for the experienced defender. With over 240 Premier League appearances, Ake would bring leadership and top-flight experience to a Palace squad likely to lose Guehi for nothing when his contract expires.

Financially, the move could make sense for Palace, who may have to reinvest wisely given the lack of incoming funds from Guehi’s exit.

Ake joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in 2020 and has since won 10 major trophies, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2022/23. He was instrumental in City’s historic treble-winning campaign, making 41 appearances across all competitions that season.

This term, however, Ake has found opportunities limited—he’s made just one Premier League start and no Champions League appearances, totaling eight appearances and 391 minutes overall.

Palace’s Contract Concerns

Ake’s potential arrival comes as Palace face uncertainty over several other players with expiring deals, including Nathaniel Clyne, Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma, and Naouirou Ahamada.

Manager Oliver Glasner’s side currently sit 10th in the Premier League after nine matches and are preparing to host Brentford this Saturday.