Manchester City is close to agreeing to sign a deal for Nathan Aké in Bournemouth, The Guardian reports.
While Pep Guardiola is pursuing a renovation of City’s defensive structure after defending their Premier League title unsuccessfully, Aké is thought to be a key candidate for a £35 m fee.
Aké was closely linked to Manchester United and Chelsea, the club he left to join Bournemouth after a few first-team appearances for £ 20 m in 2017. Despite Bournemouth ‘s recent setbacks, the 25-year-old Netherlands international ‘s popularity remains high.
Aké is under contract until 2022, but there is a sudden realization at Bournemouth that at the end of this season he will leave.
The player’s imminent arrival will fuel speculation among Guardiola ‘s current center-backs, including John Stones. Mikel Arteta may be informed of the existence of a player he knows from his time coaching at City.