Manchester City are set to sign Netherlands defender Nathan Ake from Bournemouth after agreeing a £41 million ($53 million) deal, according to British media reports on Thursday.
City are reported
to have negotiated a £40 million fee with relegated Bournemouth, with the deal
potentially rising by a further £1 million depending on clauses.
Ake’s likely
arrival at the Etihad Stadium comes after City endured a poor season
defensively following the departure of Vincent Kompany to Anderlecht last year.
Hampered by a
long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte and the disappointing form of John Stones
and Nicolas Otamendi, City boss Pep Guardiola was forced to deploy Brazilian
midfielder Fernandinho at centre-back.
City never looked
settled at the back and that weakness played a key role in Liverpool ending
their two-year reign as Premier League champions.
Ake had been one of
Bournemouth’s best players since joining from Chelsea in 2017.
There was expected
to be strong interest in the 25-year-old during the summer transfer window and
City have made their move now in a bid to secure his signature.
Ake, capped 13
times by the Netherlands, missed Bournemouth’s final three Premier League fixtures
after suffering a groin injury in 4-1 win over Leicester on July 12.
In his absence,
Eddie Howe’s side slipped into the Championship after five years in the Premier
League.
Asked if Ake may
have made his final appearance for Bournemouth after the Leicester game, Howe
replied: “I think it would be silly of me to comment on that, to be honest, at
this moment in time.
“I think next
season and everything beyond it will take care of itself.”
City are also
reported to be involved in advanced negotiations with Valencia for the signing
of 20-year-old winger Ferran Torres.
It is understand
the Premier League side have agreed an initial fee of £20.9 million with
Valencia and talks over potential add-ons are continuing.
City are in the
market for a new winger following the departure of Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich.