Liverpool should keep an eye on developments surrounding Nathan Ake. Manchester City reportedly want the Dutch defender after Bournemouth went down.
The Daily Mail claims that City are waiting to see what Bournemouth do with Ake. The Premier League runners-up reportedly held a meeting with the Cherries a couple of weeks ago but their relegation changes things.
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Bournemouth did hold a £40m valuation for Ake but that may change. They’re relegated, after all, and the current economic climate could leave them more open to selling at a reduced price.
Ake has emerged as one of the best defenders in the league over three-and-a-half years with Bournemouth. Now, though, he will surely leave the club.
And Liverpool should be waiting.
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Dejan Lovren has just left Liverpool for Zenit St Petersburg and that means the Reds are a defender light. That’s not a situation Klopp will like – he recently explained the importance of having four senior centre-halves.
We see three ways Klopp can replace Lovren. And should he decide to replace him by signing a defender, Ake could be as good as it gets.
He’s 25 and experienced in the Premier League but there’s also room for improvement. He’s physical enough to play a high line, too, and his price could drop quite dramatically.
Honestly, if City are interested then Liverpool should consider moving for Ake, too. There may not be anyone else who ticks all those boxes, given they’re exactly what the Reds look for.
The big question would be over his desire for the challenge at Liverpool. He’d come in as fourth-choice, after all, and that’s a daunting prospect for any player. If he wants a first-team role from the off, then he’ll struggle behind Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.
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But from Liverpool’s perspective, it’s certainly worth testing the water. They could get a talented, experienced player at a great age who can play their style.
If his price does drop significantly, Liverpool should prepare to leapfrog City in the Ake chase.