'Manchester City join Chelsea in race to sign Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake' in January transfer window

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Manchester City are considering a bid to sign Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, but face competition from Chelsea who intend to bring their academy graduate back to Stamford Bridge, according to Sky Sports.

The Blues included a £40million buy-back clause when agreeing to sell Ake to the Cherries for £20m in 2017, and they have now stepped up their pursuit of the 24-year-old after their transfer ban was lifted by FIFA last week.

City are looking for another centre-back to replace the injured Aymeric Laporte, with midfielder Fernandinho currently filling the vacancy, and Ake fits the bill. 

Manchester City and Chelsea are weighing up deals for Bournemouth's Nathan Ake in January

Guardiola recently told reporters that he 'doesn't want' to make additions to his squad in January but admitted 'when an incredible opportunity comes in January for the next four or five or six years, maybe we can think about it.'

But Ake was withdrawn during Bournemouth's 3-0 defeat by Liverpool due to injury, and manager Eddie Howe is awaiting the results of a scan on his hamstring. 

This could scupper any potential January move for the Holland international. 

Chelsea scout Piet de Visser has advised the club to re-sign Ake. He told Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant: 'I hope they buy him back. That boy is perfect for them and he has played with (manager Frank) Lampard.'

Other Chelsea academy graduates Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount have flourished under the leadership of Lampard, and he is reportedly an admirer of Ake.

Ake is a graduate of Chelsea's academy and made his first team debut way back in 2012