Most of the headlines regarding the upcoming January transfer window will surround Chelsea’s apparent interest in AFC Bournemouth and Netherlands international defender Nathan Ake.
The Cherries signed Ake from Chelsea for £20million in June 2017, setting a then-new club-record for a fee paid for a player.
At the time it was rumoured that Chelsea had inserted a buy-back clause into the deal, that has since been confirmed by those in the media, with it now widely reported that this is the final transfer window that Chelsea can take advantage of that agreement, with the reported price of £40million.
If Chelsea are to trigger £40m buyback clause in Nathan Ake’s Bournemouth contract they have to do so this January before it expires. Even if other clubs make higher bids (Man City + top Spanish clubs watching him) #CFC get first refusal at set price #AFCB https://t.co/2CMX8blnUR
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 17, 2019
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, however, has played down Chelsea’s interest in Ake.
Lampard on Nathan Ake £40m buy-back clause and future: "I don't know how clever it is. It is what it is. Nathan came through here and when he came to Bournemouth he has done fantastically well. He is a Premier League player. The defence we have here I am very happy with." #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 13, 2019
If Nathan Ake departs the south coast for London, or elsewhere as Manchester City have also had a reported interest, then it’s likely AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe would be in the market for a replacement, with Steve Cook, Simon Francis, Chris Mepham and potentially left-back Lloyd Kelly his only options in central defence.
But Howe could be in the market for new blood anyway.
With David Brooks, Junior Stanislas, Arnaut Danjuma and Harry Wilson all currently sidelined and Ryan Fraser failing to meet the levels of performance he showed last season, the Cherries are lacking creative options to supply the likes of Joshua King and Callum Wilson with chances to score goals.
Howe could also have funds available following some large sales during the summer.
Whilst the Cherries were active bringing Arnaut Danjuma, Lloyd Kelly, Jack Stacey and Philip Billing to Dean Court, the sales of Tyrone Mings to Aston Villa for £26.5million, Lys Mousset to Sheffield United for £10million and Connor Mahoney to Millwall for a fee of £1million saw AFC Bournemouth’s net spend total as a mere £8.2million.
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told the Daily Echo…
“I wouldn’t rule out anything. I never would in the transfer windows because you can never tell.
“I think you’ve got to be prepared to change tact very quickly. I’ve said before going into windows we probably wouldn’t be looking to do anything and in a couple of weeks it can change very quickly.”
“..I think a lot will depend on how our injuries go between now and then really. I think it’s difficult to make a call now to say ‘we plan to do this, or we plan to be active in the market’.
“There is too much unknown for us, so let’s see what happens in the coming weeks.”
Your say…
langham wrote…
Urgent, urgent … creative midfielder required. It’s Gavin Kilkenny or a new recruit … but move fast. Also, can we get Sam Surridge back from his loan spell in Wales?
We can try Junior Stanislas in a more creative role but until we get David Brooks back we’ve no one who can confidently be expected to create chances. That’s why – sorry to be repetitive – we need to buy in the transfer window. Jordon Ibe, Brad Smith out (anyone else?); attacking midfielder in. – Join the conversation, click here.
