Chelsea FC target Nathan Ake is edging closer to signing for Manchester City this summer. Ake, a former Blues’ centre-back, currently plays for relegation candidates AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Dutch international has been widely tipped to leave the Cherries at the end of the ongoing season, regardless of Bournemouth’s fate in the league.
Ake signing for Manchester City is a source of interest for the Chelsea FC fans as their club had been linked with a move for the 25-year old. Moreover, the Blues have an option to trigger a buyback clause for their former player. Upon Ake’s sale to Bournemouth back in 2017, Chelsea FC had retained the choice to resign the defender for £40million.
Both Chelsea FC and Manchester City are reported to be eager on signing a new centre-back this summer. Besides Ake, names like Kalidou Koulibaly and Diego Carlos have been linked to either of two Premier League giants.
Earlier rumours had indicated that Chelsea FC boss Frank Lampard had identified Ake as a possible summer signing. The Blues manager is reportedly keen on signing a centre-back as well as a left-back for his side before the current transfer window comes to an end.
The 25-year old Ake, although a centre-back, is equally apt at playing as a left-back too on the pitch. During his time at Stamford Bridge, the Dutch international had played on the left side of the defence quite often.
Reportedly Chelsea FC had backed out of a possible approach for Ake earlier this year in the winter transfer window. Lampard did have an opportunity to activate the buyback clause inserted into the 25-year old’s Bournemouth contract. However, the Chelsea FC boss decided against pursuing a deal for the Dutch international at that time.
Since then the Blues defensive woes have been exposed publicly on several occasions in league football. Lampard is known to be keen on replacing either Antonio Rudiger or Andreas Christensen with a new centre-back signing this summer.
Ake fits the bill for Lampard’s desired signing at centre-back for the Chelsea FC squad. However, the Blues manager would have to hijack Manchester City’s approach for the 25-year old in order to lure the Dutch international for a second spell in the Chelsea FC shirt.
