Bournemouth defender Ake has been linked with a move to Spurs or Manchester United.
Eddie Howe has been quoted on Sky Sports News (Friday, 09:25am) as issuing a hands-off warning to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United over the future of Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake.
The Daily Star claim both Spurs and United are interested in signing the 23-year-old, as he continues to shine since joining The Cherries on a permanent basis from Chelsea in the summer of 2017.
Ake has been crucial to Bournemouth this season, failing to miss a single minute of Premier League action for Howe’s side and even scoring a goal against Everton in a solid 2-2 draw.
Howe was asked about Ake’s future following the report that Spurs and United are keen on his defender, and he stated that he understands why there is interest in the defender but stated that the Holland international is not going anywhere.
“I think that’s a compliment to Nathan on how he has played since joining us permanently,” Howe said. “He’s developed a consistency, he’s carried last season’s form into this.
“With any type of speculation, especially the clubs he has been mentioned with, it is a good sign. But that does not mean that we are about to lose him. He is a massive part of what we’re doing.”
Ake, who cost Bournemouth £20million (Telegraph), is likely to cost a lot more than what the Cherries paid for him, while Spurs may be looking to sign the former Chelsea man with Toby Alderweireld’s future in doubt.
Alderweireld has a contract at Spurs until the end of the season but will be available to non-English sides on a pre-contract agreement under the bosman ruling from January 1. If Spurs want money for him, it will have to be in January.
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