How much Coventry City might have to pay Man City's Nathan Ake ace as move touted | OneFootball

Coventry City have been urged to sign Nathan Ake this summer after their promotion to the Premier League

Coventry City are preparing for a busy summer transfer window, and early murmurs suggest that Frank Lampard's relationship with certain players may entice them to come and play at the CBS Arena under him.

It's been shown this season through the players bought by Leeds United and Sunderland that having Premier League or other top-flight experience can go a long way to helping secure survival.

And Lampard's connections, both as a player and as a manager during his previous stints in the Premier League, could put the Sky Blues in good standing to secure that calibre of player.

Coventry have already been linked with Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley, and recent suggestions from former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam have attached Manchester City defender Nathan Ake with the Championship champions, who was coming through at Chelsea while Lampard played for the first team.

Ake has been at the Etihad Stadium for close to six years now, but various injuries last year limited his time on the pitch, and the 31-year-old subsequently fell down the pecking order this season, starting just five times in the Premier League and failing to come off the bench 17 times.

How much per week Nathan Ake earns at Manchester City

With his role diminishing at the Etihad Stadium, you wouldn't put it past Ake to be angling for a move away this summer, in what is set to be an offseason where some players who helped Pep Guardiola's side to where they are now are set to move on.

John Stones has already announced his departure after spending a decade with the Citizens, but it's easier for the Englishman to do so, with his contract running out in the summer. Ake's does not.

Ake has one more year left on his deal at Manchester City, which he signed back in 2023.

It's well known that City are one of the wealthiest clubs in world football, and that's reflected in the fact that the squad player earns a whopping £160,000 per week, according to Capology's estimations.

When comparing that to Coventry's estimated wage bill this season, Ake's weekly wage is over five times more than the highest-paid player at the CBS Arena, with four players said to be earning £25,000 per week.

Granted, a lot of the players will earn a wage increase due to the promotion, but it still won't be nearly as much as what the Dutchman earns at Manchester City, and he would more than likely have to take a wage cut if he is to join the newly-promoted side this summer.

A Nathan Ake transfer may be a step too far for Coventry City this summer

Despite Ake's role being more of a squad player at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has stated that he wants the Dutchman to stay at the Etihad this summer, but did admit that he is unsure what his future holds.

With the 31-year-old still under contract and the City boss keen to keep him, Coventry will likely have to shell out a decent fee to pry him away from Manchester, and that's not even taking into account how much of their wage bill they'd have to set aside for him.

Even if Ake takes a wage cut, there'd still be some expectations that he'd be earning close to, or even over £100,000 per week, which may be a risk too great for a side who will be fighting to remain in the top flight next season.

Coventry will need experience next season, and Ake would provide plenty of that at the highest level. Plus, at 31, he's still just within his traditional peak age, too, so he'd have the quality that goes alongside the experience, but ultimately, this may be a step too far.

Frank Lampard's history both as a player and a manager will give the Sky Blues a head start on some of their transfer targets, but this one might need more than just the pull of a manager to pull off.