Manchester City ready to compete with Chelsea for Dutch defender

Manchester City are reportedly prepared to compete with Chelsea in the race to sign defender Nathan Ake from Bournemouth at the turn of the year.

The Cityzens have struggled to find an effective central defensive combination since the long-term injury for Aymeric Laporte in September and they are expected to recruit a new centre-back next month.

According to Sky Sports, the Mancunian giants have their eye on signing Ake from the Cherries and they are prepared to make an offer in excess of £40m for the Dutchman.

Still, the Blues are deemed as the favourites to re-sign the Netherlands international, considering they agreed on a £40m buy-back clause when they sanctioned his sale to the Cherries two years ago.

Ake picked up an unfortunate hamstring injury in the recent league clash against Liverpool and that is expected to keep him out of action for a number of weeks.

Chelsea are free to make new signings in January after winning their transfer ban appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. They were able to reduce their year-long embargo to six months.