Arsenal legend Martin Keown raises concerns about Nathan Ake to Manchester City
Martin Keown has questioned Nathan Ake’s seemingly imminent transfer to Manchester City.
talkSPORT understands that Bournemouth have accepted a £41m bid for the Dutch international, who impressed for the Cherries in the Premier League this season despite their relegation.
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Ake has often been praised for his performances since moving permanently to the south coast in 2017 and is now coming into his prime at 25.
Keown said to Jim White on talkSPORT: “I do have concerns though, in terms of the stature of the player – 5ft 11ins.
“Looked more like a full back at the beginning of his career.
“Came in, let’s not forget, he made his debut in 2012, he’s no longer really a young player.”
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Ake’s former side, Chelsea, still have first refusal to match any accepted bid for the 25-year-old.
When the Blues sold Ake to the Cherries in 2017, they included the option to take him back to Stamford Bridge for £40m.
The Blues’ buy-back clause for the defender remains active and is understood to expire at the end of this summer.
Keown continued: “He had many loans to different football clubs, went back to Chelsea, they had an option [to keep] him, didn’t take it.
“And he has been magnificent for Bournemouth for the last three/four seasons.
“Of course, this year it didn’t work out.
“He’s matured in the way that he plays, whether he’s good enough for Man City, we’ll have to wait and see.
“Laporte is their left-sided central defender, so it would be unusual see two left-sided central defenders playing alongside one another.
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“But nonetheless, I think he is adaptable.
“He can play left-back, he can play deep in midfield and obviously Pep Guardiola feels that he’ll be able to slot in on that right hand side.
“Because you have to feel Laporte will be the one who plays on the left.”
July 31, 2020 at 09:27PM Premier League Football Fixtures and Results - talkSPORT https://talksport.com
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