Nathan Ake is set to leave Manchester City to join Fenerbahce in a deal worth at least £7m.
The Turkish giants on Friday announced they had agreed a deal for the 31-year-old Netherlands defender, but it’s understood City were surprised by the timing of that statement with the transfer not yet fully complete.
Talks have been held over a deal which would see Fenerbahce pay an initial £7m fee, potentially rising to £8.5m with add-ons.
A Fenerbahce statement said: “Our club has reached an agreement with and signed a contract with Nathan Ake, a player for the Dutch national team.
“Ake, who has been playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will join our team at the Austrian training camp after his leave of absence.”
It would see the 31-year-old Ake end a six-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, during which he has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and two Carabao Cups.
However, he struggled for regular playing time in Pep Guardiola’s final season as City boss, with only six of his 18 Premier League appearances coming from the start.
Ake, a £41m signing from Bournemouth in the summer of 2020, had one season left on the four-year contract he signed following City’s Champions League success in the summer of 2023.
Ake featured in three of the Netherlands’ four games at the World Cup, starting two, but was replaced in the 71st minute of their last-32 tie against Morocco which ended in a penalty shootout defeat on Tuesday.
Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa (above).
The Gunners are also keeping an eye on his Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers but Konsa has two years left on his contract at Villa Park and is likely to be valued in the region of £60m.
Leeds have gone back in with a second bid for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles, as per reports. The West Yorkshire outfit have made an improved offer of £23m plus add-ons for Charles, who made 38 appearances for the Saints in the Championship last term.
After missing out on Mateus Fernandes, Manchester United are said to have Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba high on their priority list. United were interested in signing the 22-year-old last summer but were never able to agree a deal, and offers below £70m are unlikely to be considered by Brighton.
Joao Palhinha has confirmed his departure from Tottenham following the end of his loan spell last season.
Spurs have brought in midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and also reached an agreement with Newcastle for Italy international Sandro Tonali in a deal which could be worth an overall package of £100m.
Portugal international Palhinha had joined Spurs on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, but will now not be part of Roberto De Zerbi’s plans as he looks to move the squad on after avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
“Representing Tottenham has had a profound impact on my life, not only professionally but also personally, and it is something I will carry with me forever,” former Fulham midfielder Palhinha (above) wrote on Instagram.
“As I have said before, what truly defines a great institution and a great football club is its supporters. Players, managers and directors come and go, but the fans remain. You are the ones who keep the flame of this club burning, season after season.
“With the utmost respect and gratitude, I say goodbye to all of you. Thank you so much COYS.”
Bournemouth midfielder Romain Faivre has rejoined Ligue 1 side Auxerre on a one-year loan deal.
The 27-year-old spent the second half of the 2025/26 season with the French club, making 10 appearances during his spell.
Bournemouth signed Faivre from Lyon in the summer of 2023, with the midfielder going on to have a loan spell at Lorient before being recalled in January 2024 and making six appearances for the Cherries ahead of another switch back in France with Brest, where he played in the Champions League.
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