City’s defensive rebuild begins
Manchester City have had a bid accepted for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake in the region of £41m, according to reports. Ake was relegated with Bournemouth this season but was their standout player in an otherwise sub-par squad.
The fee for Ake will bring in some much needed cash for Bournemouth as they deal with the financial consequences of relegation, with outstanding transfer fees still to be paid out.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are set to bring in one of the best defenders in the league after a season where their lack of defensive depth was cruelly exposed by Aymeric Laporte’s injury.
Ake will most likely deputise for Laporte on the left side of central defence, but can also play at left-back or in a back three.
The former Chelsea player was also linked to Manchester United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was seen telling him “we need a left-footed centre-back” after United’s 5-2 win over Bournemouth in early July.
But United have missed out to their neighbours City, who are also on the verge of signing 20-year-old Valencia winger Ferran Torres for a fee of around £24m, almost £80m less than his release clause.
