Tottenham Hotspur may re-open talks with Manchester City defender Nathan Ake during the January transfer window
Tottenham Hotspur had a satisfactory end to their summer transfer window.
Spurs have spent around £180m on new signings, with Randal Kolo Muani the latest to join on transfer deadline day on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain. They have also agreed deals for creative attackers Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons, while both Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel joined permanently following loan spells from RC Lens and Bayern Munich, respectively.
However, the Lilywhites failed in their attempts to recruit a left-winger and centre-back during the last few days of the transfer window. Son Heung-min left the club after 10 long years to join MLS club Los Angeles in August, leaving a big hole in Thomas Frank’s squad. Replacing such a big player for the club was never an easy task but the Hotspur Way chiefs could have brought someone in closer to the South Korean international’s skill-set.
It would be now up to Thomas Frank how he utilises his exciting attacking options and tries to address the void created by Son’s departure. He does have players to cover that area, but when it comes to defence, the lack of quality depth is alarming.
Spurs missed out on a senior centre-back signing
Spurs were interested in signing Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen. In fact, they had also made an offer for the 23-year-old defender to get him on loan with an obligatory purchase option. However, Hincapie was attracted to Arsenal’s project under Mikel Arteta and made the move to the Emirates Stadium on deadline day.
The Lilywhites were also understood to be keen on Manchester City defender Nathan Ake. They held talks over a possible deal for the Dutchman, but the Sky Blues were not ready to part ways with him. Instead, they allowed Manuel Akanji, who interestingly was also on Tottenham’s radar, to depart on a season-long loan to Inter Milan.
Nathan Ake is a hugely experienced defender, having represented several English clubs in his successful career. Spurs gaffer Thomas Frank is an admirer of the 30-year-old, who is yet to start a Premier League game this season thus far. He is behind the likes of John Stones, Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol in the defensive pecking order at Manchester City.
Tottenham could revive interest in Manchester City defender in January
Now, according to an exclusive report from CaughtOffside, Tottenham are considering re-opening talks for Ake in 2026, with Frank eager to add an experienced head as cover for both centre-back and left-back. The utility centre-back’s current market value lies in the £15–20 million bracket, and with his contract expiring in the summer of 2027, Man City could decide to cash him in next year.
Spurs, though, are not the only club interested in the City star. Nottingham Forest and Everton are also keen, while Newcastle United and West Ham had been interested in signing Ake during the recently concluded summer transfer window.
From Tottenham’s perspective, Frank lacks quality cover for both Van de Ven and Romero. Danso is a decent defender but lacks top-flight experience, while Radu Dragusin cannot be relied upon when he recovers fully from ACL rupture. This is when a player of Ake’s quality, knowhow and versatility could come in at Spurs and make a difference. He’d not only be a solid cover for Van de Ven, but also challenge the likes of Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence for the left-back spot.
That said, the Hotspur Way chiefs must not hesitate to rest City’s resolve for the Netherlands international when the transfer window reopens in January.