NATHAN AKE is open to joining Chelsea or Manchester City as top Premier League clubs circle for Bournemouth’s £40million-rated Holland centre-back.
Ake was today ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury but Cherries boss Eddie Howe has admitted the 24-year-old’s longer-term future is “out of our control”.
Nathan Ake has already been linked with Chelsea, Man City, Spurs and EvertonCredit: PA:Press Association
And The Athletic suggest ex-Chelsea youngster Ake is narrowing down his preferred options should he move in January.
Tottenham and Everton have also been linked to the ex-Chelsea youngster, who has won 13 caps since joining Bournemouth for £20m in June 2017.
But Ake seems likely to miss at least four weeks after hurting his leg in last Saturday’s 3-0 home loss to Liverpool.
£150m SPREE
Once he recovers, Ake’s £40m buy-back clause is sure to spark more speculation about a Stamford Bridge return.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has been tipped for a £150m spree after their transfer ban was lifted.
His other big-name targets could include two flying attackers in Borussia Dortmund’s England star Jadon Sancho and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.
But the Blues are short of proven class in central defence, despite the rapid emergence of 21-year-old Fikayo Tomori.
And asked about Ake, Howe said: “It would be obviously my wish to hold on to everybody. Some of these things are out of our control.
“We will wait and see. A lot of things with transfers, trying to bring players in, trying to keep the squad we have, is out of my hands.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
