Chelsea: £40m star could '100%' make Stamford Bridge return

Chelsea will “100 per cent” be looking to re-sign Nathan Ake this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen already moved on, Thomas Tuchel desperately needs defensive acquisitions in the months ahead and Jones reckons a return to Stamford Bridge could be on the cards for Ake.

Heading into pre-season, the Chelsea boss has just four senior centre-backs at his disposal and that includes Cesar Azpilicueta, whose own long-term future in west London isn’t yet secured.

Two of those are Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah, who’re both inexperienced at senior level, meaning the Club World Cup winners must strengthen at the heart of their defence.

They’ve been linked with Jules Kounde, but the Telegraph believe that Tuchel holds a long-term interest in Ake, who came through the ranks at Chelsea and made 17 appearances before leaving for Bournemouth.

The report adds that Ake, who cost Manchester City £40m in 2020, could be the perfect replacement for Rudiger, while the Blues are also attracted to his ability to play at left-back and in midfield.

Chelsea turned down the chance to re-sign the Dutchman two years ago after inserting a buyback clause into his switch to Bournemouth in 2017, but Jones reckons they could finally get their man.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t have any doubts they have other players on their list.

“Nathan Ake 100 per cent would be somebody on their radar and he’s potentially someone that would be available in this window, so I can see that happening.”

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If Ake is Chelsea’s only defensive addition this summer, which is extremely unlikely to prove the case, then his signing wouldn’t look as