Bournemouth to announce a second Chelsea signing a £20m defender!

It's being reported that Bournemouth are set to announce the £20m signing of Nathan Ake from Chelsea once the player returns from his holidays early next month.

I must stress that these are unconfirmed reports at this stage as we wait to hear anything with substantial credibility but then again I wouldn't be surprised as the player himself has to be frustrated figure walking away from Stamford Bridge last month having joined in the Premier League trophy celebrations.

If we are honest, we would have expected him to be involved much more than he was after Chelsea decided to cut short his loan spell at Bournemouth to recall him. At the time it was being stated that Antonio Conte was more than impressed with what he had seen from Ake in the first half of the season and wanted an opportunity to work with him in person.

Ake made just FIVE appearances in the second half of last season, two in the Premier League for us and three in the FA Cup with the most notable being in as a replacement for Gary Cahill in the FA Cup Semi-Final against Tottenham at Wembley.  On that day, Ake more than held his own and demonstrated his ability to play in the first team on a regular basis.

Nathan Ake is one of those players, in my view, that are so important in a squad because they can play in a number of positions and look comfortable playing anywhere. Whether that's as a full back, a wing back, a defensive midfielder or as a central defender, he offers the manager important cover.

I just wonder if the player himself has made a decision as to what he believes his best position is and that's what has delayed and hampered his opportunities since he returned.

So what of Bournemouth's interest having already had a bid of £18m rejected last January? Well it was clear that Eddie Howe rates Ake as he became an ever present down on the south coast in the first part of last season. He sees the 22-year-old as an integral part of his plans moving forward and with the mega money being handed out each year in the Premier League, an increased bid of £20m seems to have convinced Chelsea and the player to accept the move.

It is a more than healthy profit on another that has come through our Academy to find his chances more than limited at Chelsea. With the likes of Van Dijk, Bonucci and Alex Sandro being linked with big money moves to Stamford Bridge in the next two months, Ake's chances looked even worse so a move is the best result for all concerned.

(Article source: Here)