Manchester City’s squad reshaping looks set to continue through the January window and into next summer. The exact positions Pep Guardiola will look to reinforce remain uncertain, but centre-back could see the most change. It wouldn’t come as a major surprise if John Stones or Nathan Ake were to depart next summer — both appear to be nearing the end of their City tenures.
Reports now suggest that City have opened preliminary talks with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, while several clubs are preparing moves for Nathan Ake in January. This could indicate that City are planning ahead, potentially targeting an experienced replacement for Ake, who might leave either mid-season or next summer.
Interest builds in Ake as City speak with Konsa
Ahad Shaukat of CaughtOffside reports that Juventus, Inter Milan, and Crystal Palace are all keen on signing Ake during the January transfer window. Manchester City are said to value him between €30–35 million. Both Italian giants see Ake as an ideal reinforcement for their backlines, while Crystal Palace view him as a possible successor to Marc Guehi, who could move on soon. Though City aren’t actively looking to sell Ake, they are open to reasonable offers if one arrives in January.
Meanwhile, former Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that City have held early discussions with Konsa’s camp about a potential summer move. Konsa is reportedly assessing his future options, with City positioning themselves should he decide to leave Villa at the end of the season.
Konsa tipped as a possible Stones or Ake replacement
Given the likelihood of defensive changes, Konsa could be a logical target. Manchester City already have young centre-backs such as Vitor Reis, Juma Bah, and Abdukodir Khusanov developing within the system, though it’s unclear if they’ll be ready for senior roles next season.
At 28, Konsa offers proven Premier League and international experience. Under contract with Aston Villa until 2028, he would not come cheap, but his quality and consistency make him an attractive option. Should either Ake or Stones move on, Konsa could seamlessly step into City’s defensive setup.
Overall, centre-back appears to be an area to watch for City. With Ake attracting interest and early talks underway for Konsa, change in Guardiola’s backline may be on the horizon.
