Chelsea’s Nathan Ake flies back from holiday to complete £20m transfer to Bournemouth

Due South | Ake set to complete permanent move to the Cherries
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Simon Johnson29 June 2017

Nathan Ake is flying back to England to finalise a £20m switch from Chelsea to Bournemouth.

Chelsea and Bournemouth stepped up talks yesterday and agreed to the transfer, which will include a buy back option.

Ake has been on holiday for the past three weeks and was still visiting his family in holiday in Holland last night.

But Standard Sport understands that the 22-year-old is travelling to London to sort out his future with Chelsea.

While not demanding a transfer, it is believed Ake is keen to rejoin Bournemouth, where he spent the first half of last season on loan, in order to get regular first team football.

Ake made just five appearances for Chelsea after being recalled in January, although one of those was a starting role against Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final.

However, with Chelsea looking to buy another centre half, possibly two wing backs and midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko this summer, he is resigned to looking elsewhere for the game time he needs.

Ake, who can play in all three positions, won his first senior Holland cap against Morocco earlier this month. With the Dutch team still in with a chance of playing in the World Cup next year, he can't afford to spend another campaign as a fringe player at Chelsea.

His strong relationship with coach Eddie Howe, who tried to agree a permanent deal back in January, is a key factor behind the decision to return to Bournemouth, where he will sign a five-year contract.

The players on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist

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Ake's imminent departure means that Chelsea will have already raised over £60m from player sales this summer to help fund their own spending spree.

They hope to get another £10m next month when Dominic Solanke's fee to join Liverpool is decided by a tribunal.

Chelsea are also in talks with PSV Eindhoven over the permanent sale of Marco van Ginkel following two loan spells at the Dutch club in as many years.

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