Chelsea are keen to sign Raheem Sterling this summer and are in talks over a deal, but Fabrizio Romano says the Blues have their sights set on another Manchester City player – Nathan Ake.
The 27-year-old is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2025 but has an uncertain future after struggling for playing time this season. Ake made 27 appearances from a possible 58, amassing 1739 minutes of football from 5220 while being an unused substitute 27 times, so it’s clear Pep Guardiola doesn’t fancy him.
Ake finds himself behind John Stones, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order, so it’s hard to see him featuring heavily next season. As a result, the Dutch international has a difficult decision to make, especially with a club like Chelsea being interested.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: ‘Todd Boehly will listen to Thomas Tuchel’s ideas this summer. The plan is to reinforce the team and this is being worked on. Keep an eye also on Nathan Ake because he is highly rated by Tuchel.’
Ake joined City on a five-year deal from Bournemouth in 2020, setting the club back £40.7m. He’s made 40 appearances in all competitions, taking home £92k-per-week/£4.8m-a-year in wages, so a three-year deal could cost Chelsea £65.1m.
The 27-year-old has been keen to fight for his place at City, so Ake might put up some resistance if a club approaches him.
In other news, Paul Robinson says Man City must ‘cash in’ on Raheem Sterling this summer