Tottenham have to beat Chelsea to the signing of Nathan Ake

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Nathan Ake is reportedly a transfer target for his former club Chelsea – but Tottenham must do all they can to beat their rivals to the Dutchman.

According to The Telegraph, the Blues are ready to activate a £40 million buy-back on the player, who departed Stamford Bridge in 2017 to join Bournemouth after an initial loan spell.

Manager Frank Lampard is said to be a big fan of the 24-year-old, and the club are now free to sign players in January after their transfer ban was reduced by CAS.

Ake has been a key figure for the Cherries over the past couple of years, and has gained experience playing in both a back four and a back five.

Spurs have also previously been linked with Ake (The Sun), and Jose Mourinho cannot let his old club get their man.

TBR’s view – Ake is ideal Vertonghen successor

Ake would be a great signing for Spurs, especially with it looking like Jan Vertonghen could move on next summer.

The Belgian’s contract is rapidly running down and the club will need to be thinking about ways of replacing him should contract talks be unsuccessful.

Left-footed Ake would a good signing by Spurs, who often mix things up by playing with two or three centre-halves.

Ake would be perfectly suited to playing on the left side of a back three, and if it means paying a bit more than Chelsea’s £40 million, then perhaps the north Londoners should do it.