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Manchester City defender Nathan Aké had to be subbed off as he picked up an injury during the Netherlands' UEFA Nations League clash against Germany on Tuesday, September 10. The defender was replaced by Arsenal's Jurrien Timber in the 45th minute.
The 29-year-old was visibly in pain and required a stretcher to be carried off the pitch, leaving fans and teammates deeply concerned.
Aké, a key figure for both club and country, appears to have picked up a serious non-contact injury. His emotional reaction hinted at the severity of the situation, sparking fears that he could be sidelined for an extended period.
With a packed season ahead, Manchester City will hope for positive news but may need to brace for the possibility of losing one of their most reliable players. Over the next 12 days, the defending Premier League champions will play two league matches, including one against arch-rivals Arsenal, and open their Champions League campaign against Inter Milan.
The Dutch defender made 29 appearances, including 24 starts, in the Premier League last season. In 2024-25, Ake has only made a single appearance off the bench till now. In his absence, Josko Gvardiol remains the only out-and-out left-back option.
An update on the status of Nathan Ake’s injury is expected when Pep Guardiola faces the media on Friday ahead of City's match against Brentford.
Saudi club set to offer £40m-a-year contract for Manchester City star Mateo Kovacic - Reports
As Manchester City gear up for their Premier League clash against Brentford this weekend, speculation around the future of a key player has emerged. Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who has impressed early in the season, is reportedly attracting significant interest from the Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
According to Football Insider (via Football Fancast), Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr are preparing a massive offer for Kovacic. The report claims they could table a deal worth £800,000 a week – amounting to an astonishing £40 million per year.
The Saudi giants had pursued the midfielder in the summer but failed to secure his signature. Ronaldo is said to have personally recommended Kovacic as a potential signing.
Despite the allure of a lucrative contract, Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola are unlikely to entertain the offer, as Kovacic has become an integral part of their squad.
Guardiola, a known admirer of the player, has relied on Kovacic to step up in Rodri’s absence, with the Croatian starting all three of City’s league games this season. He put in a standout performance in City's opening day victory against Chelsea. Kovacic is under contract at City until 2027.
