Man City open Nathan Ake talks amid confusion over Chelsea’s buy-back clause

The race to sign Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake

Now 25, Nathan Ake will be one of the likeliest departures from Bournemouth if the Cherries are relegated from the Premier League this season.

Even if Bournemouth survive, they may still decide to cash in on Ake.

Ake is under contract at the Vitality Stadium until 2022. This season he’s played 25 times in the league, scoring twice.

According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein on Monday, Man City and Chelsea are both looking at making a move for Ake this summer.

 

Man City open Nathan Ake talks

According to David Ornstein, Man City are at the front of the queue for Ake:

The Dutchman was watched by City before the winter transfer window and while no advances were made then, the interest has intensified and early discussions have taken place in relation to a possible deal.

🚨 This week @TheAthleticUK
⚽️ Nathan Ake among centre-back options for Man City #MCFC #AFCB
⚽️ Top Arsenal talent Florian Balogun set to exit
⚽️ Physio Chris Morgan joining Liverpool with #AFC eyeing #PSG’s Bruno Mazziotti as replacement #LFC
➕ Lots morehttps://t.co/k9IctyQYtb

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 29, 2020

 

What about Chelsea’s interest in Ake & confusion over buy-back clause

Ake was brought up in the youth ranks at Chelsea, before he broke into the first team back in 2012.

Ultimately Ake was never able to cement a place in Chelsea’s first team squad, which lead to loan spells at Reading and Watford before he turned a loan move to Bournemouth into a permanent deal in 2017.

Today, David Ornstein has noted that Chelsea are also looking at Ake, while there’s confusion over whether the Blues still have an active buy-back clause:

Despite some confusion over whether a buyback option inserted into the agreement that took Ake from Chelsea to Bournemouth on a permanent basis in 2017 remains active, the Blues have stayed in the conversation. However, City currently appear the keenest suitor. 

It’s worth noting that back in December 2019, David Ornstein reported that Chelsea’s buy-back clause for Ake was still active.

Back then, Ornstein confirmed that a £40 million buyback clause was included in Ake’s contract when Chelsea sold him to Bournemouth.

Moreover, readers were previously told that Chelsea had secured a first refusal right for Ake too.

This week @TheAthleticUK:
– Klopp new contract details
– Clock ticks on Ake clause
– How close Dele came to joining Villa
– MU want Haaland, not Minamino
– Clubs eye Holgate / WHU to be busy
– Summer window + Brexit confusion
– Man Utd salute lifelong fan https://t.co/2CMX8blnUR

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 16, 2019

 

Could Nathan Ake go to another club?

The Athletic doubt it. Readers are told:

Given Ake’s profile, the likely fee and squad vacancies elsewhere, a recruitment expert told The Athletic that City and Chelsea are his only realistic destinations.

 

How much could Bournemouth get for selling Ake?

The Athletic refrained from suggesting how much Ake could cost.

However, Sky Sports have previously suggested that Bournemouth would demand 75 million pounds for the Dutch international defender.

#lcfc priced out of Nathan Ake transfer – #Bournemouth want more than £75m, I’m told. 2 years younger than Maguire, 10 Dutch caps, 3 yrs left on contract -hence high price. Tarkowski would be £40m+ so Leic reluctant to pay that too. Looking abroad, but may not sign anyone new.

— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) August 5, 2019

 

Also see: Crystal Palace vs Burnley FC live streaming & betting tips.

James Maddison may miss Everton & what Frank Lampard said to his Chelsea players at halftime vs Leicester.

from Football (soccer) greatest goals and highlights | 101 Great Goals - Feed https://ift.tt/2VvYHN0