Bournemouth defender Ake has been linked with a move to Tottenham.
Tottenham Hotspur are being linked with a move for AFC Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, but is reported interest in the Dutchman a sign that Spurs are resigned to losing Toby Alderweireld?
The Daily Star claim Spurs are to try and sign the 23-year-old from Bournemouth in the January transfer window as he continues to sparkle in Bournemouth’s excellent start to the Premier League campaign.
A seven-time Netherlands international, Ake has helped Bournemouth win five of their eight Premier League outings this season including wins against West Ham United, Leicester City and a 4-0 triumph over Watford on Saturday.
Bournemouth spent a fee of £20million (Guardian) on Ake to bring him to the Vitality Stadium on a permanent basis from Chelsea, so Spurs are likely to have spend quite a bit more to land him from Eddie Howe’s side.
But does the interest in Ake suggest that Spurs have admitted defeat in keeping Alderweireld? The Belgian’s contract at Spurs expires at the end of the season, though there has been talk that he may agree a new deal.
The former Southampton and Atletico Madrid defender has been repeatedly linked with a move to Manchester United as his contract – worth £75,000 a week (Daily Star) – is set to expire at the end of the season.
Spurs must agree a new contract with Alderweireld if they want to avoid the risk of losing him on a free in the summer, or indeed a pre-contract agreement from January under the Bosman ruling.
But with January only a couple of months away, the chances of keeping Alderweireld are getting slimmer and slimmer and Ake could be the man to replace the experienced centre-back at Spurs.
Boasting similar aerial abilities, athleticism and the ball-playing technique to play in central midfield – both of which have done throughout their career – Ake looks like a ready-made replacement for Alderweireld.
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