Chelsea Set To Sign Another Manchester City Star After Raheem Sterling: Perfect Option For Tuchel?

In a recent tweet, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Chelsea are keen on signing Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake in the ongoing transfer window as Thomas Tuchel looks set to add to his options in defence ahead of the 2022/23 season.

The Blues have reached a full agreement on personal terms with the Dutch defender; however, they are yet to lodge an official offer to City. The Citizens are expected to demand a fee in the region of £45 million to let go of Ake’s services as they plan on replacing him with a new centre-back.

‘Chelsea have full agreement with Nathan Ake on personal terms. Man City are aware of the situation on the player side, but still waiting to receive the official bid.’ – The tweet read.

‘City want around £40/45m for Ake and plan is to replace him with a new centre back in case he leaves.’

Having come through the ranks at Feyenoord and Chelsea, Nathan Ake signed for Manchester City from Bournemouth in the summer of 2020 for a fee in the region of £40 million. Having made just forty appearances for the Citizens over the past three years, the 25-year-old was limited to a sporadic role by manager Pep Guardiola.

Nonetheless, he put up some decent numbers on the board the last term as he averaged 1.1 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, 1.5 clearances, 0.4 blocks, and one long ball per ninety minutes in the English top-flight (calculated across 14 appearances). The 27-times Netherlands international has stepped up for Guardiola’s side numerous times in the hour of need, often showing glimpses of brilliance with his rock-solid defending at the heart of City’s backline.

The Perfect Option For Tuchel?

Two of Chelsea’s Champions League-winning centre-backs, Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid) and Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), left on free this summer while full-backs Marcos Alonso and skipper Cesar Azpilicueta are also reportedly keen on departing. Furthermore, Thiago Silva turns 38 in September. Needless to say, the entire backline needs a complete overhaul – and Nathan Ake would be the perfect signing under such circumstances. At 25, the £45-million fee seems reasonable as he will only improve with each passing season.

(Stats from WhoScored)