Chelsea Reach Full Agreement With Second Manchester City Player Following Raheem Sterling Deal

Chelsea have now reached a full agreement with Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake on personal terms, as per a new development.

Stamford Bridge officials are currently in the process of largely rebuilding Thomas Tuchel's squad this summer.

Following a somewhat disappointing season last time around, there has been a strong need for improvements in several positions - namely in attack and central defence.

In a surprising transfer window thus far, recruitment in multiple positions has taken Chelsea to Manchester City on multiple occasions.

Firstly, there was the interest in Raheem Sterling, and with personal terms now agreed and a compromise on a transfer fee close to being reached, there is an expectation that a deal will be announced soon.

Additionally, Dutch centre-back and former Chelsea youth star Nathan Ake has been a player of interest.

There is a feeling that Manchester City would be open to allowing Ake to return to Stamford Bridge this summer, but only on their terms.

Nevertheless, in a new development, the London club have made progress when it comes to talks with the player.

According to the information of renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have now reached a full agreement with Nathan Aké on personal terms.

It is further claimed that Manchester City are aware of the situation on the player's side.

However, the Premier League champions are still waiting to receive an official bid from Chelsea officials, with City looking for in excess of £50 million for the player.

In terms of succession planning for Manchester City, should Nathan Ake depart in the coming days and weeks, Fabrizio Romano states that Etihad officials intend on replacing the player with a new centre-back.

Chelsea have full agreement with Nathan Aké on personal terms. Man City are aware of the situation on the player side, but still waiting to receive the official bid. 🔵 #CFC

City want around £40/45m for Aké and plan is to replace him with a new centre back in case he leaves. pic.twitter.com/Pyu8jwYf6o

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 8, 2022

Options for Manchester City to replace Nathan Ake this summer have not been as widely reported.

Officials at the Etihad Stadium are known to have held a previous interest in Villarreal's Pau Torres, however a number of factors mean such a move is doubtful.

Firstly, Manchester City's next centre-back signing would have to be comfortable taking on the role of fourth choice in Pep Guardiola's system for large parts of the season.

At present, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, and John Stones have a strong hold on the starting positions, while Nathan Ake has been called upon in cup games and at left-back or in the event of an injury.

In addition, in the case of Torres in particular, there are currently no signs of the player actively seeking new opportunities away from Spain, and certainly not as a back-up option for large portions of a season.