Chelsea re-signing Nathan Ake this month could depend on the future of Marcos Alonso, although Ake is naturally a centre-back. The Dutchman spent six years at Chelsea earlier in his career but made just 17 first-team appearances in four seasons in the senior squad. He enjoyed loan spells with Reading, Watford and Bournemouth before he made his switch to the latter permanent for £20million in 2017. A recent hamstring injury has prevented him from being an ever-present again this term but he had played every minute of every top-flight game before a showdown with Chelsea on December 14, which Bournemouth won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. But it has been mooted that Chelsea will exercise a clause in Ake’s contract that would allow them to bring him back to the Bridge permanently for £40m.

Source: Express January 04, 2020 06:56 UTC