Earlier this month AFC Bournemouth and Netherlands international Nathan Ake was linked with a potential move to Premier League champions Manchester City.
It was the latest rumour to link the centre back with a move away from Dean Court with former club Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City all previously linked.
The 24-year-old who surpassed 100 appearances for the Cherries against Norwich City has impressed many since his £20million move to AFC Bournemouth in June 2017, including former Chelsea scout Piet de Visser.
He was quoted by Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant as saying…
“Ake should have played for Chelsea by now. He’s so good.
“I hope they buy him back. That boy is perfect for them and he has played with Lampard.”
But AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has insisted that Nathan Ake remains in the Cherries long-term plans as part of the heart of the defence alongside Steve Cook.
Howe told the Daily Echo…
“He is part of our long-term plan.
“Of course, he is going to have admirers from other clubs, I think that goes with the territory at this level.
“It’s part of the modern-day Premier League player that, if you do well, your media attention increases and you have to deal with that. That’s another tick in the box for Nath because he has dealt with all that. It’s never affected him, all the media talk and transfer speculation.
“The biggest compliment I can give Nathan is in his conduct, his professionalism and his leadership.
Tough game but another clean sheet. Thank you to the travelling fans🍒 pic.twitter.com/MJmC9ntyeR
— Nathan Aké (@NathanAke) October 26, 2019
Your say…
northstandmark wrote…
Ake is probably our best player, perhaps our best ever. It’s easy to get protective over your best player. Chelsea right now are not the lightyears ahead of us on the pitch as you would have thought a few years ago. He’s one they let getaway. So it’s not surprising to hear him touted for a return.
If it happens and the price is right, I’d be gutted but so be it. It proves our ‘stepping stone if you’re good enough’ credentials to the next talented up and coming players we look for. – Join the conversation, click here.
