AFTER only 40 minutes, Nathan Ake’s Bournemouth career, as well as the Cherries’ five-year stay in the Premier League, looked to be over. With his side trailing 1-0 to Leicester City, the Dutch defender was stretchered off with an injury in the first half. Bournemouth staged an astonishing second half comeback to keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation, but even if they stay up there appears to be little chance of Ake staying.
Indeed, Ake has more than likely played his last game for Bournemouth, with Eddie Howe confirming after the game that he will miss the final three games of the season. At 25, the defender is now faced with a career crossroads, with essentially every ‘Big Six’ club reportedly interested.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur… they’ve all been linked with a move for Ake at some point in the recent past. The Dutchman’s appeal is obvious. He is the epitome of the modern centre back – physically imposing, but good with the ball at his feet. What’s more, Bournemouth’s relegation could make a cut-price deal possible. Ake could be one of the best value players on the market this summer.
Unreal @NathanAke // #afcb pic.twitter.com/7Z26HWP7Pd
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) July 13, 2020
But while Ake would be a good signing for a number of teams near the top of the Premier League, it’s the one sitting at the very top that should be at the front of the line. Perhaps the only position currently up for grabs in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side can be found at centre back and Ake would, at the very least, broaden their options here.
Of course, Ake and Virgil Van Dijk know each other through playing for the Netherlands together and so there’s good reason to believe the pair would be able to replicate that national team partnership at club level. Van Dijk has a high opinion of the 25-year-old having played alongside him for a number of years.
“First of all, he’s a fantastic guy,” the Liverpool centre back said after a win over Bournemouth earlier this year. “I speak with him quite a bit at the national team and I think he’s a fantastic player as well. I don’t know what might happen with him in the future with Bournemouth, you just have to stay grounded – but I am not worried about that [with Ake] at all.”
There is an element of the unknown over Liverpool’s current plans for the window. Timo Werner’s move to Anfield fell through when it became apparent the Reds were unwilling to stump up the £53 million to sign the striker, so it’s reasonable to assume they won’t be shopping from the top shelf this summer. This is another reason why someone like Ake might appeal.
They will, however, most likely need a new left-footed centre back, with Dejan Lovren widely expected to leave the club before the start of next season. Even if Klopp continues to see Joe Gomez as the ideal partner for Van Dijk, Liverpool will have to recruit depth in defence. They cannot rely on Gomez and Van Dijk to play every single game over an entire season.
Competition for Ake’s signature will be stiff this summer, but Liverpool have everything in their favour to put forward the strongest case. At Anfield, the Dutchman would slot into a team that already knows how to win and alongside a centre back partner he already has experience of playing with. In Klopp, Ake would work under a coach capable of harnessing his natural qualities.
Recent speculation paints a picture of a club that isn’t quite sure where to look in this summer’s transfer window. Liverpool’s interest in Werner suggested Klopp wanted a new attacker above all else. Since then, rumours regarding Thiago Alcantara and Adama Traore have blurred things. In terms of the first team, though, central defence is Liverpool’s one last problem area and Ake could be the perfect solution.
