Transfer News: Chelsea have agreed to a fee with Manchester City for Nathan Ake. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
According to football.london, Chelsea are planning to make a bid for Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake. The report adds that the Blues plan to make an official offer in the region of £30 million for the Dutch international.
The Dutch centre-back left Chelsea for Bournemouth in 2017 after having struggled to gain game time at Stamford Bridge. In 2020, he moved to Manchester City for £41 million on a five-year deal. While he is far from a first choice, Ake continues to play an important role in Pep Guardiola’s roster.
Five years down the line, he could be on his way back to Stamford Bridge after getting very less play time at the Etihad. He could be the potential replacement for Antonio Rudiger, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer.
The centre-back made only 27 appearances for the Cityzens in all competitions scoring three goals in the process. To call him a key member of the Premier League champions’ squad would be an overstatement.
Chelsea are in dire need to fix their defence after seeing Rudiger leave with Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta also tipped to follow suit. Thomas Tuchel has been in the market for a centre-back and has identified Ake as a potential target for this summer.
The London outfit are yet to make a signing this summer under the new ownership. It is no secret that the German tactician will need to sign at least two centre-backs before the start of next season. Chelsea have been linked with Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde, both among the best young options across Europe.
Ake, who is a left-footed centre-back, could be deployed on the left side of the back three if he arrives. The Dutchman has gained huge playing experience ever since leaving the Blues five years ago in the Premier League. This is something that could be beneficial to Tuchel.
Not only this, the player too could benefit from the move as he is likely to get more playing time at Chelsea. The player could also adjust without much problem at Cobham as it would be a familiar environment for him. Hypothetically, if de Ligt also signs, Chelsea could have a Dutch centre-back partnership.
It would be wise on Tuchel’s part to start signing players as rivals Tottenham and Arsenal are ahead of the Blues in this department. Also with pre-season looming around, getting players now would allow them to adjust to their new surroundings and also give Tuchel an idea of the team he will be having for next season.
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