Nathan Aké is on the verge of joining Bournemouth in a club-record £20m transfer from Chelsea. A deal has been agreed in principle between the clubs, leaving only minor details to resolve, with Aké expected to sign a five-year contract inside the next 48 hours and join his new team-mates for the start of pre‑season training.
Aké’s signing will be seen as something of a coup for Bournemouth, who have beaten off competition from West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, Southampton and West Ham United as well as a number of overseas clubs.
The 22-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at Bournemouth and made a big impression under Eddie Howe, who was bitterly disappointed when Chelsea recalled the defender in January. The Bournemouth manager failed in an attempt to sign Aké permanently at the end of that January transfer window but was quick to revive his interest this summer.
Chelsea had no great desire to sell Aké, who joined them from Feyenoord at the age of 16 and has plenty of admirers within the club because of his exemplary attitude as well as his talent, but the Dutchman is desperate to play regular first-team football and the Premier League champions are unable to give any assurances on that front.
Although Antonio Conte made a call to Aké when the manager decided to bring the player back to Stamford Bridge at the start of the year, first-team chances were few and far between.
Aké made three FA Cup appearances for Chelsea but started only one Premier League match – the 4-3 victory over Watford after Conte’s team had won the title.
Relations between Aké and Chelsea remain amicable. At no point did Aké ask to leave and there is little doubt the club would like to be in a position to be able to re-sign the player if they so desire in the future. Chelsea rate Aké highly and recognise that he has huge potential, yet the reality is that they are unable to give one of their most promising young players the opportunity he craves.
Aké has spent much of the previous two campaigns on loan, making 34 Premier League appearances for Watford and Bournemouth, but there was no appetite for another temporary move this summer. There is a feeling on Aké’s part that the time has come to put down some roots and Bournemouth, where he enjoyed working under Howe, seemed as good a place as any to develop his career. He won his first senior cap for Holland last month.
He will become the second player to swap Chelsea for Bournemouth this summer, with Asmir Begovic agreeing a long-term contract with the south coast club at the end of May. Jermain Defoe’s arrival on a free from Sunderland is set to be confirmed at the weekend as Howe adds proven Premier League experience to a squad that finished ninth last season.