Man City have seemingly ended their chase for a new centre-half at the expense of Chelsea and Man Utd after the club had a £41m bid accepted for Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake.
That is according to report, with Ake set to become the first high-profile departure from the newly-relegated Cherries.
City had long been rumoured to be targeting central defensive reinforcements in the current window.
Aymeric Laporte’s lengthy injury hampered their defensive solidity, while Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones fell below par in the Spaniard’s absence.
Fernandinho was often played out of position, and even youngster Eric Garcia was given an extended run in the team.
But now it appears Dutchman Ake will be the man tasked with shoring up City’s defence.
According to reports, it is ‘only a matter of time’ before the deal is completed.
The deal is reportedly worth a guaranteed £40million to the relegated Cherries, potentially rising by a further £1million.
One curiosity stems from the fact Ake and Laporte are both primarily left-footed. Though at £41m, Guardiola will be expected to find a way to include both in his starting line-ups.
