Man City's Nathan Ake with Pep Guardiola inset
Credit: Imago
Tom Griffin
Mon 5 January 2026 14:30, UK
Everton are weighing up the possibility of signing a defender in the January transfer window, and Nathan Ake has emerged as a possible option.
David Moyes has suffered throughout the campaign with a lack of defensive depth following the injury to Jarrad Branthwaite, while utilising Jake O’Brien as a right-back.
Everton were linked with Ake during the summer, but nothing materialised, and the Dutchman is potentially back on their radar.
Ronald Koeman wants Ake to play regular football for him to be selected for his 2026 World Cup squad, and as it stands, the 30-year-old has started just three times in the Premier League.
Everton have lost their first game of a calendar year in 8 of the last 9 years – 6 of those games (and defeats) were at home. #EFC
— EFC Statto (@EFC_Statto) January 4, 2026
Man City explore move to sign Marc Guehi
When Man City suffered injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias during their 1-1 draw against Chelsea, Ake was introduced for the latter in the 81st minute.
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Injuries to two of their star defenders arguably puts the Dutch international in contention for more playing time, depending on the severity of the problems.
Exc: Man City explore move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for January. Follows injuries to Ruben Dias & Josko Gvardiol. No final decision from City over formal approach but interest has accelerated. Liverpool and Bayern Munich also interested. https://t.co/Dhqs6CBTwd
— Sami Mokbel (@SamiMokbel_BBC) January 5, 2026
But that doesn’t mean his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium isn’t in doubt, as according to BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel, City are accelerating their interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Guardiola could sign Guehi this month as a solution to his side’s defensive woes, instead of letting him leave on a free transfer in the summer and risk losing him to another club.
Guehi plays on the left side of a back three for Palace, and with everyone fully fit at Man City, Ake would be pushed further down the pecking order.
So, if the Cityzens do sign the 25-year-old this month – or even in the summer – Everton have a greater chance of landing Ake as a result.
What Jack Grealish has said about Ake
According to reports, Ake has been made available for just £26m by Man City, and that seems like a bargain for one of the Premier League’s most decorated defenders ever.
Nathan Ake’s list of honours at Manchester City
1x Champions League
4x Premier League’s
1x Super Cup
1x FA Cup
2x League Cup’s
Including four Premier League titles at Manchester City, the ball-playing defender has won six in total, while also winning a Champions League, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups during his time at the Etihad.
As an option on the left side of defence, either in January or in the summer, Ake is a massive improvement on their current defensive players.
Jack Grealish would also agree with the above verdict, having waxed lyrical about him previously before moving to Everton on loan.
“Nathan’s so strong defensively and I think he’s been unbelievable this season and one of our standout players,” Grealish said of Ake via Man City official in March 2023.
“And I think a lot of City fans would say that also. He’s a brilliant guy and once of the nicest guys I have ever met in football and doesn’t have one bad bone in his body.”