AFC Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake has been backed to move to a big club in the summer amid links with Tottenham Hotspur, per Football Insider.
What’s the word?
Football Insider have reported that Spurs are interested in a possible move for the Netherlands international in the summer transfer window, provided the Cherries are relegated to the Championship.
They are currently 16th in the Premier League, just two points clear of West Ham United in the drop zone.
And Noel Whelan says that Ake should look to leave Eddie Howe’s side at the end of the season regardless of Bournemouth’s survival fight.
He said of Spurs’ interest: “There’s no doubt they need to freshen it up (in defence).
“He’s been linked with moves back to Chelsea, he’s been looked at by Arsenal. There’s a lot of clubs looking at Nathan Ake.
“Since leaving Chelsea he’s really come on leaps and bounds and developed into a very good centre half.
“But I think now, come the end of the season, no matter where Bournemouth end up, whether they’re still in the Premier League or they get relegated, I think it’s probably time for him to take that step up to a big club.”
Perfectly set
Ake has been a cornerstone of the Bournemouth side for quite some time.
The 24-year-old has made 113 appearances for the club and is clearly an excellent central defender.
He is left-footed, which is a rarity at the top level of the game, and averages 1 tackle per game, 1.4 interceptions, 4.6 clearances, and a passing accuracy of 88.7%, per WhoScored.
The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?
He is clearly at home in the top-flight and Whelan is correct in his assertion that he is primed for the jump to a top-four or top-six club.
Spurs, though, would be the ideal suitors, given that Jan Vertonghen’s contract expires at the end of the season and he could well be on his way out of the club.
Ake would be the perfect replacement.
