Nathan Ake may now force through Chelsea move amid ‘surprise’ £45m update – pundit
Frank McAvennie has suggested Nathan Ake may be personally lobbying for a move to Chelsea as it would be “surprising” if Man City are willingly engaging in talks with a direct rival.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker insisted Ake will want to prove Pep Guardiola wrong if he makes a return to Stamford Bridge.
According to journalist Simon Jones, reported in the Daily Mail (11 July), the London club are in talks with Man City over a £45million deal for the 27-year-old.
A City source told Football Insider last Monday (4 July) that Ake has been told he is free to find a new club if they receive an appropriate offer and can source a replacement.
The Dutch international currently has three years left on his contract at the Etihad after joining from Bournemouth in 2020.
The centre-back joined Chelsea’s youth side and signed a professional contract in 2013.
He remained with the club for four years but spent much of that time out on loan.
When asked for his assessment of the latest, McAvennie told Football Insider: “Maybe it’s the player thinking ‘I’m not getting a game here I want to go and play’.
“He was at Chelsea as a boy so he knows the club and if he’s been promised game time then it’s a win-win.
“I’m surprised that they’re going to sell him to one of their rivals.
“It’s a great incentive for him if he goes, he’ll be thinking Pep [Guardiola] doesn’t rate him because he sold him to Chelsea.
“It’ll encourage him to have the best season ever. If he goes, it means he’s not in Pep’s favour so it’s a great chance for him to go and prove Pep wrong.“
In other news, sources have revealed Newcastle and Chelsea are in the race to sign Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling.