West Ham and Crystal Palace 'keen' on £30m-rated ace as Man United target Serie A gem

West Ham and Crystal Palace are ‘keen’ on Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake, according to CaughtOffside. The defender is facing an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium ahead of the January transfer window amid attention from elsewhere. The report adds that Barcelona, Fulham and AFC Bournemouth are also interested in the £30million-rated man.

Ake, 30, is under contract with City until June 2027 and has been with them since 2020. He has made 158 appearances under the guidance of Pep Guardiola and has scored 10 goals from the back. However, it remains to be seen whether he will stay put beyond this winter.

The 3am Verdict: West Ham are struggling and Ake would be a shrewd signing if they were able to lure him to the London Stadium. He would help tighten up their defence as they look to avoid relegation to the Championship. As for Crystal Palace, they could see the Dutchman as a potential long-term Marc Guehi replacement. Guehi’s contract with the Eagles expires next year.

Manchester United eye Roma midfielder Manu Kone

CaughtOffside also claim Manchester United want Roma midfielder Manu Kone ahead of next month. The Red Devils could look to bring in some new faces to freshen up their squad. Ruben Amorim’s side won 1-0 at home to Newcastle United last time out on Boxing Day after Patrick Dorgu’s goal.

Kone linked up with his current club on an initial loan deal back in 2024 that was later made permanent. He has since established himself as one of their most prized assets but they could face a battle to keep hold of him now. The 24-year-old has had spells in the past with Toulouse and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The 3am Verdict: Manchester United could see with some more competition and depth in midfield. Manu Kone has proved himself in France, Germany and Italy now and should now test himself in England. If he joined the Red Devils, he would give Ruben Amorim another useful option to pick from in the middle of the park.

Sunderland want to sell Anthony Patterson

Sunderland want to sell goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, journalist Alan Nixon has suggested on his Patreon page. He is wanted by QPR, Leicester City and Southampton in the Championship. He has been on the books of the Black Cats for his whole career to date.

The stopper rose up through the academy of the North East outfit and was a regular for them at various different youth levels. He broke into their first-team in 2018 and has since played 169 games, as well as having a loan spell away at Notts County to get some experience. Patterson has lost his place between the sticks now though at the Stadium of Light following their promotion to the top flight so most signs point towards an exit.

The 3am Verdict: Anthony Patterson is unlikely to get regular game time at Sunderland now so a departure would suit all parties involved. He needs to be getting minutes at this stage of his career and won’t want to be sitting on the bench. The goalkeeper would be a good signing for a team in the second tier.