Chelsea ‘planning on making official offer’ for Man City player – first bid £20m below asking price
According to reports, Chelsea are ‘planning on making an official offer’ to Manchester City for their defender Nathan Ake.
The Dutchman signed for Chelsea from Feyenoord as a youth player. He went onto make 17 senior appearances for the Blues.
After an initial loan spell, Ake joined AFC Bournemouth permanently for around £20m in 2017.
The centre-back impressed for the Cherries, who were relegated down to the Championship at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.
They are reporting that Chelsea are ‘planning’ to make an ‘official’ £30m bid for the Premier League winner.
A separate report from Manchester Evening News is stating that City would only sell Ake if they have a ‘replacement lined up’.
They add that a bid of £50m is required for City ‘to even consider looking for a defender to allow Ake to go’.
The Brazil international signed for Leeds in 2020 ahead of their return to the Premier League, joining from Rennes for around £17m.
Raphinha shone for Leeds last term, grabbing eleven goals and three assists in the Premier League.
A report on Tuesday stated that Chelsea had agreed a £55m transfer fee with Leeds and the deal for the Brazilian winger was close to completion.
But it was also claimed that ‘the race is not yet closed’, and his agent Deco was spotted leaving the Barcelona offices on Wednesday alongside director of football Mateu Alemany and Enric Masip, advisor to president Joan Laporta.
A move to the Nou Camp has always been Raphinha’s preference, but Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea are set for ‘direct talks’ with Deco on Thursday as they look to agree personal terms with the winger, with ‘key hours’ ahead.
Chelsea are also heavily linked with a move for Raheem Sterling, with Thomas Tuchel said to have held talks with the England international.
