With Chelsea falling further and further behind Bayern Munich for their primary target, Matthijs de Ligt, they have now turned their attention towards re-signing their former centre-back, Nathan Ake.
Chelsea were in a neck-and-neck race with the Bundesliga’s Bayern Munich for Matthijs de Ligt, only to be left in the German giants’ dust with the player wanting a move to the Allianz Arena over Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggested the pair of European powerhouses submitted similar proposals; the Blues were offering €70m plus €10m in add-ons while the Bavarians were offering the exact figure but in a different payment structure. This was said to be lower than Juve’s evaluation of de Ligt, who are ready to sell to the highest bidder.
"As the Blues name de Ligt as a primary target, they’re also offering around €70m + €10m in added-on bonuses. This is apparently the same total the Bundesliga champions are willing to offer, but in a different structure to that of Chelsea’s.Both, sadly, is not what Juventus are looking for and want no deal that involves a player plus cash exchange. The West London club is not short of funds and the German giants drive a hard bargain; Matthijs de Ligt is still anybody’s signing due to this.(Via: thetopflight.com)"
Juventus want £75m (€89m) for Matthijs de Ligt and it is understood the Dutchman would prefer a move to Bayern Munich [@_pauljoyce, @mhardysport, @TomRoddy_]
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) July 7, 2022
Bayern Munich are edging closer to a Matthijs de Ligt deal
Talks have progressed positively between the Old Lady and Bayern. While talks are ongoing, Juventus are holding out for €89m, with the player making it clear that Munich is still his preferred and only destination.
Due to the progress favouring the Bundesliga champions, Chelsea has accelerated their interest in Manchester City’s Nathan Ake. He has been told by Pep Guardiola and the club: he is free to leave.
Chelsea Are in Advanced Talks With Nathan Ake
Currently, they are discussing personal terms with Ake and the possible fee with Man City for the Dutchman. City wants £40m upwards and nothing less for Nathan Ake.
Just been told talks for #CFC to sign Nathan Ake are now at their advanced stages
— Bobby Vincent (@BobbyVincentFL) July 7, 2022
It’s been two years at the Etihad and he mostly played back to Pep’s preferred centre-backs and it will stay that way as long as Rúben Dias, John Stones, and Aymeric Laporte are at the club. Guardiola even preferred Former club captain, Fernandinho, in CB over Ake.
With Fernandinho having left City for Série A club Athletico Paranaense, the club still feels it best to move the Dutch international on and are opting to rather sign a replacement with the funds brought in from his sale.
If/when this deal goes through and Ake returns to Stamford Bridge, it would mark the second transfer between the two clubs, with them having a breakthrough in the Raheem Sterling deal as well. But that is also when/if they finalise the Sterling exchange.