Welcome to the latest edition of the City Is Ours daily round-up, where we take a look at some of the Manchester City stories you might have missed.
A lot of the talk heading into the January transfer window has revolved around who Newcastle will target, and it seems Eddie Howe has his sights set on a reunion with a City defender.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is reportedly keen to thrash out deals for two players who have been linked with a move to Premier League title rivals Chelsea...
Newcastle 'plot Ake move'
Newly-appointed Newcastle boss Howe is hoping to make Nathan Ake one of his first signings on Tyneside (as per 90min ).
Ake was a regular in the Bournemouth team during the pair's time together on the south coast and it seems Howe is now desperate to reunite with the Dutchman.
Ake moved to the Etihad Stadium in August 2020 in a deal believed to be worth around £41 million, though he's been unable to cement his place in the starting XI.
The Netherlands international is now valued at £28.8 million by Transfermarkt, meaning Guardiola's side could face a sizeable loss on their original investment.
Our view: I think this would be a great move by Newcastle but I also think City would be dubious about selling him for less than they originally paid.
Ake has waited patiently for his chance in the team but I think it's time to let him move on. Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been impressing at Anderlecht this season and so the sale of Ake could hand him a chance in the first-team set-up when he returns from his loan spell.
My only worry about the youngster potentially becoming a regular in the matchday squad is that he's yet to play football at the top level and if City picked up any injuries it would be a big ask for him to slot into the team.
City could scupper Chelsea transfer plans
Both Chelsea and Juventus have been linked with a move for highly-rated AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, but it's now reported that City are preparing to crash the party.
Italian outlet Tutto (via Fichajes ) claim that Guardiola is monitoring the France international who was recently reported to have been valued at upwards of £50 million.
Our view: Chelsea look to be frontrunners in the race to sign Tchouameni but if City can attract him to the Etihad Stadium then they definitely should.
With Fernandinho expected to leave in the summer and the future of Bernardo Silva still unclear, midfield reinforcements are expected to be required and Tchouameni would be a great addition.
Sevilla hint at City's next transfer move
Sevilla have hinted at City's first January transfer move after the Spanish side were credited with an interest in Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka (as per Mundo Deportivo ).
You might be wondering what any of that has to do with City, but the report goes on to claim that Guardiola submitted a £47 million bid for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde over the summer, only for the offer to be quickly rebuffed.
Chelsea were also linked with a move for the France international but they too were unable to reach an agreement.
Sevilla's interest in Ndicka suggests they may be preparing for life without Kounde and City could be about to do battle with their Premier League rivals for the Frenchman's signature.
Our view: This would be a nice little opening for City, however, I've seen far more rumours linking Kounde to Chelsea and Manchester United than City since the summer transfer window.
A lot may depend on Newcastle's interest in Ake and we should probably get used to the Tyneside outfit having a massive say on transfer window activity.
Would you like to see City sign Kounde? Follow our City is Ours trends writer Jake Stokes on Twitter and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
