Transfer News: Manchester City close to signing Bournemouth defender

Man City is the latest team to join in on the race for Bournemouth’s most wanted, Nathan Ake.

It appears its not just the relegation battle the Cherries and Eddie Howe has to worry about. They now have to start prepping for the departure of their club captain, Nathan Ake. The defender has been a top prospect since before he left Chelsea and has always been monitored by the top clubs.

Following his move to the Vitality Stadium, Ake put in a string of good performances, season after season. The player has been with the club for the past four years, since moving over in 2016 on loan, and then making his deal a permanent one the season immediately after.

Before the season kicked off and Harry Maguire left Leicester City for Man United, Ake was on the verge of replacing the most expensive defender signing at the King Power Stadium. However, Bournemouth was stern over their valuation of the Dutchman and stood firm on their asking price of £80m.

The deal stalled and he stayed put, forcing the Foxes to sign Çağlar Söyüncü for a reported fee of £19m. After an untimely pause in football and all things worldwide due to the pandemic, his price tag could and will drop. Also taking in the fact, Bournemouth is fighting for Premier League survival, sitting in a relegation slot and three points away from safety.

Man City lead the Ake race

For a while, it was Chelsea rumoured to want their ex-Blue back, while Ole Gunnar openly displayed an interest in him. But it looks as if both will lose out on the player’s signature.

Sky Sports suggests talks have initiated between the two English outfits and an agreement could be reached soon if all goes well. Adding to this, the Metro reports City are now frontrunners for the wanted Dutchman with a deal of £35 million in place for the centre back.

More from AFC Bournemouth

"Bournemouth captain Nathan Ake is set to join Manchester City in a deal worth up to £35million once the season is completed. The former Chelsea ace is expected to leave the Cherries this summer regardless of whether they can manage to survive relegation to the Championship. (Via: metro.co.uk)"

If he does make the switch to the Etihad, it will be a great move for the player and the club. He definitely elevates his game, as well as outplay Stones and Otamendi, giving them a run for their money. Quite frankly, I believe he is good enough to replace both men and would do a better job than they have done in the past for Pep Guardiola.

The Cherries will still make a profit from his sale after they acquired his services for £18m. So the highest bidder will do for them, it’s in their club’s best interest to start a bidding war.

Man City’s pulling power has increased with their inclusion into the Champions League. Their rivals have no guarantee they will make the cut for Europe’s top stage for club football as the fight for a top-four place goes down to the wire.

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The move makes all the sense in the world. City struggled at the back with a couple of injuries throughout the campaign. They need a player of his strengths and qualities to come in. Eric Garcia could be on his way out, or rather City’s worried they might lose him to Spanish giants, Barcelona.

If so, the Nathan Ake move makes even more sense. Man City has also been rumoured to want Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli. So this gives the idea the Manchester club is certainly in for a new centre back.

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