Manchester City on Wednesday announced the signing of Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake on a five-year deal -- the second new arrival at the Etihad in the summer transfer window.

Pep Guardiola's dethroned Premier League champions agreed a £40 million ($52 million) fee for the Netherlands centre-back, rising to a potential £41 million.

The signing comes a day after the club announced they had landed Spain Under-21s winger Ferran Torres from Valencia.

• Why are Manchester City interested in Bournemouth's Nathan Ake?

"City have been the best side in England over the course of the last decade," Ake, 25, said in a club statement.

We’re excited to announce the signing of @NathanAke from Bournemouth on a five-year deal ✍️

#ManCity | http://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/6tyYQ2OVwv

�?Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2020

"Coming here is a dream for me. This is a top side full of world-class players. Everywhere you look in this squad there are big names with international pedigree."

City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "Nathan is a quality defender. 

"He was a leader during his time at Bournemouth and I am so pleased we've managed to bring him here. He's strong and quick, and we feel he has the technical and intellectual attributes needed to excel in Pep’s set-up."

• Manchester City sign Ferran Torres from Valencia

City finished 18 points behind Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who were crowned champions in June after a three-month hiatus due to the pandemic.

Guardiola's team lost nine matches during the season, showing the need for a rebuild at the back.

A knee ligament injury to Aymeric Laporte early in the season hit City where they most lacked cover, in central defence, after failing to replace departed captain Vincent Kompany.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Peter Powell

Manchester City are set to sign Netherlands defender Nathan Ake from Bournemouth after agreeing to a £41 million ($53 million) deal, according to British media reports on Thursday.

City are reported to have negotiated a £40 million fee with relegated Bournemouth, with the deal potentially rising by a further £1 million depending on clauses.

Ake's likely arrival at the Etihad Stadium comes after City endured a poor season defensively, following the departure of Vincent Kompany to Anderlecht last year.

Hampered by a long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte and the disappointing form of John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi, City boss Pep Guardiola was forced to deploy Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho at centre-back.

• Why are Manchester City interested in Bournemouth's Nathan Ake?

City never looked settled at the back and that weakness played a key role in Liverpool ending their two-year reign as Premier League champions.

Ake had been one of Bournemouth's best players since joining from Chelsea in 2017.

There was expected to be strong interest in the 25-year-old during the summer transfer window and City have made their move now in a bid to secure his signature.

Ake, capped 13 times by the Netherlands, missed Bournemouth's final three Premier League fixtures after suffering a groin injury in a 4-1 win over Leicester on July 12.

In his absence, Eddie Howe's side slipped into the Championship after five years in the Premier League.

Asked if Ake may have made his final appearance for Bournemouth after the Leicester game, Howe replied: "I think it would be silly of me to comment on that, to be honest, at this moment in time.

"I think next season and everything beyond it will take care of itself."

City are also reported to be involved in advanced negotiations with Valencia for the signing of 20-year-old winger Ferran Torres.

It is understood the Premier League side have agreed to an initial fee of £20.9 million with Valencia and talks over potential add-ons are continuing.

City are in the market for a new winger following the departure of Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Richard Heathcote

After five years of punching above their weight in England’s top-flight, A.F.C. Bournemouth are seemingly destined to be relegated from the Premier League. The Cherries, under manager Eddie Howe, have been consistently rising in the Premier League table for the past four years and were touted to challenge for a place in next season’s Europa League. 

However, injuries to key players, poor return on investment from their signings and the highly competitive nature of the Premier League has meant that bar a miracle on the final day, Bournemouth’s journey in the Premier League will come to a close. 

One player who certainly won’t be plying his trade in the Championship next season is their centre-back Nathan Ake, who, as per the recent media reports, is a subject of interest for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who are rumoured to be ready to pay 35 million pounds for the Dutchman. 

Ake, who was signed from Chelsea at the start of 2016-17 season on loan before being signed permanently at the end of the campaign, had been rumoured with a return to Stamford Bridge, however, it seems that Chelsea, who were thought to have a buyback clause or first option on the Dutchman, have decided to pass on the chance to sign him, allowing City to swoop in and complete the deal.

With the deal seeming close to conclusion, we try to make sense of why the four-time Premier League champions are looking to sign the 25-year-old:

City’s rearguard revamp

Guardiola has spent heavily on his defence since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2016.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach has bought five defenders that cost 40 million pounds or more, but the departure of Vincent Kompany and the disappointing performances from John Stones and Benjamin Mendy has forced Guardiola to jump back into the market to strengthen his defence. 

While Guardiola is aiming to sign a right-footed centre-back to partner Aymeric Laporte in defence and is rumoured to be willing to break the bank for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Ake, a left-footed player, could be a shrewd acquisition from Guardiola.

Injury to Laporte early in the season derailed Manchester City’s Premier League campaign, as in the Frenchman’s absence, neither Nicholas Otamendi nor makeshift centre-back Fernandinho could perform at the level Guardiola expects. 

Ake, who’s quick, strong in the air and good with the ball at his feet, is a perfect fit for Guardiola’s footballing philosophy. The Dutchman is also a natural in a back three as the left centre-back and is also comfortable filling in at left-back, something he’s done sporadically at Bournemouth. 

With Mendy’s constant absenteeism owing to injuries, Guardiola has been forced to use right-footed midfielders Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabian Delph, before he moved to Everton and Angelino, who wasn’t fancied by Guardiola and was loaned out to RB Leipzig in January. 

Mendy’s defensive frailties have cost City this season, particularly against Wolves and Chelsea away, and with Ake at left-back, Guardiola might have to sacrifice some attacking impetus but will get defensive solidarity at the back that the team has severely lacked all season long.

While Ake certainly isn’t a game-changing acquisition and City will most certainly look to sign another centre-back to partner Laporte at the heart of the defence, the Dutchman’s acquisition will provide cover in multiple positions as well as tactical flexibility. 

With Bournemouth doomed to be relegated, City might even manage to score a discount on the player. The 25-year-old is a quality defender with attributes that are a perfect fit for Guardiola and his signing is certainly a smart piece of business from the former Premier League champions.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dave Thompson

It has been a difficult season for Manchester City. A second-place finish would be considered a success by most clubs, but the high standards that Pep Guardiola & co. have set for themselves over the past couple of years mean that there will certainly be disappointment with how things have panned out this term.

While Manchester City have defended their League Cup crown successfully and remain in the hunt for the FA Cup and the Champions League, their Premier League campaign has been the biggest source of disappointment. Indeed, the Citizens find themselves a whopping 25 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table and will yield the title to the Reds once the league returns to action.

One of the major problems behind City’s struggles in the league has been their inconsistent defence. Guardiola, for a majority of the season, has worked without his best defender, Aymeric Laporte, due to injuries, while John Stones too has faced fitness problems. When fit, the Englishman hasn’t always inspired confidence either.

Nicolas Otamendi’s attitude is worth praising, but every time he takes the field, a costly error is almost inevitable. Fernandinho has performed admirably as a makeshift centre-back, but with his advancing age, the Brazilian cannot be relied upon week in week out moving forward as Manchester City look to assert themselves as the most dominant force in England next term. 

Read | Five players who could move to the Premier League this summer

To that end, here are five centre-backs that the Sky Blues should look to sign in order to boost their defensive options ahead of next season. 

Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester City)

The 23-year-old has been a revelation in his second season with Leicester City, establishing himself as one of the most reliable centre-backs in the Premier League this season. 

Having signed for the Foxes in 2018, it wasn’t until 2019-20 that Soyuncu got a proper run in the first-team, thanks to the departure of Harry Maguire last summer. 

Soyuncu has featured in all but one of Leicester’s Premier League games this term, helping the Foxes to the third-best defensive record in the competition. Moreover, the 23-year-old was integral to Turkey’s UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, leading them to the best defensive record in the qualifiers.

An imposing presence on the field and comfortable with the ball at his feet, Soyuncu has shown he can cut it out at the big stage, making him a viable target for Manchester City.

Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan)

One of the most coveted defenders across Europe, 25-year-old Milan Skriniar would be a great addition to the Manchester City backline in the summer.

Skriniar joined Inter Milan from fellow Serie A outfit Sampdoria in the summer of 2017 and has since become a pivotal member of the Nerazzurri. The Slovenian international has grown from strength to strength with each passing season and has been integral to Inter’s title challenge under Antonio Conte this season.

Skriniar, so far this season, has featured 32 times in all competitions, including in 24 of Inter’s 25 Serie A matches. The 25-year-old's influence can be seen from the fact that his team has conceded just 24 goals in the league so far �?the second-best defensive record in the competition.

Comfortable in a back-three system or a two-man central defensive partnership, Skriniar has shown good adaptability and backs it up with his defensive nous and ball-playing abilities. 

Read | Why do defensive midfielders make great managers?

Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)

Another centre-back from Serie A who is widely regarded as one of the best in his position currently, Kalidou Koulibaly could be the ideal player to fill the vacancy left by Vincent Kompany’s departure at Manchester City.

The 28-year-old Senegalese international is in his sixth season with Napoli, having first arrived in 2014 from Belgian outfit Genk. A key member of the Partenopei, Koulibaly played a critical role as they pushed Juventus in the Serie A title race in the past few years. 

Injuries have meant that Koulibaly has had to spend a lot of time on the sidelines this term and that has had a negative impact on Napoli’s season as well. The 28-year-old has made just 15 Serie A appearances this season.

Despite his recent injury issues, Koulibaly is a reliable option to fall back upon. A leader on the field and in the dressing room, the Senegalese defender’s presence would help Manchester City to a greater extent, while also making them less prone to mistakes in set-piece situations.

Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)

Not the biggest name on the list, but a worthy one nevertheless, Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake could be a potential wildcard signing for Manchester City next summer.

The 25-year-old Netherlands international signed for the Cherries from Chelsea in the summer of 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. Eddie Howe’s side have mired in the Premier League mid-table year after year, but Ake has stood out as one of the most consistent performers in the English top-flight.

Injuries have derailed his campaign somewhat in 2019-20, but Ake is someone who has proven himself capable of handling the pressure of Premier League football. Physically imposing, the 11-time capped Netherlands international is also comfortable carrying the ball out from the back and can double up as a left-back as well, providing Guardiola with an added option in the defence.

With Bournemouth staring at the possibility of relegation this term, they could be forced into cashing in on Ake in the summer. And Manchester City should definitely explore the possibility of signing the former Chelsea academy ace.

Read | Eden Hazard: Once London royalty, now Madrid mediocrity

Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona)

Perhaps a left-field choice, considering that he is no longer the first-choice defender at his own club. But, Samuel Umtiti’s quality and experience could prove to be worth their weight in gold for a Manchester City backline that has been found wanting this term.

Snapped up by Barcelona from Olympique Lyon in 2016, Umtiti soon became Gerard Pique’s undisputed partner at the heart of the Catalans�?defence. However, his troublesome knee issue, coupled with compatriot Clement Lenglet’s rise to prominence has seen the 26-year-old drop down the pecking order over the past year and a half.

Umtiti has been bothered by a knee injury this season as well, restricting him to just 16 appearances in all competitions. However, one cannot overlook the role he played in France’s World Cup triumph in 2018 and the experience he possesses while playing at the elite level for years.

Barcelona are said to be open to selling Umtiti this summer. And given his ball-playing abilities, the Frenchman would be an ideal fit into Guardiola’s team, making him an appealing prospect for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s decision to not get a centre-back to replace the outgoing Vincent Kompany last summer has backfired pretty quick. After two defeats in eight Premier League fixtures, Manchester City are now eight points adrift leaders Liverpool already.

Their frailty in dealing with high-speed counters was on display against Wolves when Adama Traore made full use of his flashy pace to exploit makeshift centre-back Fernandinho in the final minutes of the game. The Spaniard’s cause is further razed by the injuries to John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, leaving Nicolas Otamendi as his only specialist centre-back.

City did approach Harry Maguire in the summer, but the England international decided to join their neighbourhood rival Manchester United instead, leaving Guardiola shorthanded. And now, the consequences have been pretty evident, with the defending champions in dire need of a specialist defender if they are to replicate their previous season’s achievements.

Having said that, here are three defenders that might steady City’s ship in the second half of the season.

1. Nathan Ake:

Rumours are rife that City are chasing the Bournemouth centre-back, but a staggering £80 million price tag from the Cherries have forced City to reconsider.

A consistent presence in the heart of Eddie Howe’s defence, the 24-year-old is known for his versatility in being able to acquire all four defensive positions. A trait like that would certainly come in handy for Guardiola given the fact that Benjamin Mendy has struggled with injuries since joining, while there is no stern option available on the other flank if Kyle Walker gets injured.

2. Kalidou Koulibaly:

Image courtesy: AFP / Alberto Pizzoli

The Napoli centre-half has attracted heavy interest from the Premier League teams, mainly Manchester United, and it is said that City are in the fray as well. Koulibaly, known for his rock-solid defending, has averaged 2.8 tackles, 2.4 clearances and 1.2 interceptions per game in the Serie A and can be a trusted player in the air too, having won 2.8 aerial balls per game.

His physical side of the game further makes him an all-round defender for the Premier League. But then again, dealing with Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis would be something that City might look to avoid.

3. Milan Skriniar:

Given Inter Milan’s success under Antonio Conte this season, getting Skriniar might seem like a long shot for now, but it’s a deal that would benefit Guardiola and City big time.

A centre-half known for his clever sense of passing and an ability to play from the back is exactly what the manager craves for. The 24-year-old carries a composed head on his shoulders and that, coupled with his excellent ability to read one-on-one situations, might help Guardiola cool things down at the club.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Oli Scarff