Newcastle United monitoring the situation of Manchester City defender Nathan Ake | OneFootball

Newcastle United are monitoring the situation of Manchester City defender Nathan Ake ahead of the winter transfer window, according to talkSPORT.

Manager Eddie Howe wants to bolster his defensive options for the second half of the season.

Ake is open to leaving Man City, having started just one Premier League game this term.

The 30-year-old has played 159 games for Man City, winning four Premier League titles and one Champions League.

Newcastle are not the only club keen on the versatile defender, with West Ham United also interested in securing his services.

However, he has rejected them as he is reluctant to join a club battling against relegation.

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are also monitoring him, but he must convince Man City boss Pep Guardiola to allow him to leave in the midst of a Premier League title challenge.

Joining Newcastle could be more appealing to Ake as they are playing in the Champions League. However, he will only be a short-term solution as he turns 31 in February.

The Magpies may need to wait until summer to get younger defenders, but a move for Ake makes sense as Howe is desperate to strengthen his defensive ranks for the second half of the campaign.

Newcastle have conceded 24 goals in 19 league games this term, keeping just five clean sheets – the last one came in October.

They need significant improvements at the back if they are serious about turning their season around.