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Tottenham Hotspur are ready to make a £40m move for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, according to The Sun.
What’s the story?
Having not signed a player for two transfer windows now, Mauricio Pochettino needs to be on the hunt for players this summer who can freshen up his starting eleven and help get them closer to Liverpool and Manchester City in the English Premier League next season.
The Sun reckon players like Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen could also be heading out the door, meaning replacements must be sought.
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One player on Pochettino’s radar is Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, according to the paper, who is coming off the back of a successful season on the south coast.
The report states that the London club are ready to pay £40m for the player, doubling Bournemouth’s outlay for from when he permanently moved from Chelsea.
Long-term pick
Ake is still just 24 years old but has good Premier League experience behind him, making 117 appearances in total in the competition for Watford, Chelsea and the Cherries.
He didn’t quite make the breakthrough at Stamford Bridge, but Eddie Howe has given him the platform to play and improve in the top-flight, to the benefit of his overall game.
He’s now won 10 caps for the Netherlands and is well on his way to becoming an elite defender.
With that education behind him, Pochettino can add his famous polish and bring his game to the next level, kicking off a new team cycle at the club.
Alderweireld is tough to replace and is a big part of the reason they have progressed so well over the last few years, but Ake is well placed to step into that role, play regularly, defend stoutly and have the ball playing ability to step into the midfield and link up with teammates.
At the reported £40m, he could prove to be something of a bargain if he goes on to have a long Spurs career.