Nathan Ake has expressed his openness to the potential arrival of Josko Gvardiol at Manchester City as discussions continue regarding the Croatian defender’s transfer.
City is actively seeking a new left-footed center-back, especially with Aymeric Laporte likely to depart during the transfer window.
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Gvardiol has emerged as City’s primary defensive target, but negotiations are ongoing, and no deal has been finalized yet.
Reports had suggested that Gvardiol was close to a medical, but those claims were quickly denied as he joined his current club in Italy for pre-season training.
Regardless of the outcome, Ake welcomes the idea of defensive reinforcements, even though Gvardiol could potentially compete for playing time with him.
Ake emphasized that new signings would provide healthy competition for positions within the squad.
Voicing his opinion about the club’s present interest in the RB Leipzig centre-back, he said this: “No, it’s good. I think whoever comes in is going to be a challenge for the positions the people play at.
“That’s what this club does, bringing new people, making sure everyone is on their toes, making sure everyone’s ready and to help the team to achieve new things again.
“I’m sure if it’s all true and if it’s happening then it will be a great addition and it means we have to fight, everyone has to fight for the sport, everyone has to do well and that keeps the bar set high.”
Ake also thinks the strong competition for places has contributed to why City have become such a formidable side.
He added that the club’s non-playing staff are also worthy of huge credit for constantly motivating the players to do better.
He added: “I think the thing is the club hires people who demand that of each other, who have all got the same mentality.
“I’m not just talking about players, but also about what I said before, the phyios, the staff, everyone keeps making sure we are on our toes and not slacking off with all the little rules and stuff they keep in place and make sure we do the same as we did before.
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“I think that’s a big thing and also the players who they are bringing in always have the mentality as well and I think everything just then clicks together and we go again.
“I think that that’s just the mentality. No one lets it slip up and especially the manager.”
