Chelsea need defensive reinforcement, and the Blues have been linked with a move to bring back former defender Nathan Ake to the club he left on a permanent deal to Bournemouth in 2017.
According to reports, Arsenal have placed Nathan Ake high on their list of potential replacements for the injured Calum Chambers.
Chambers underwent surgery on Thursday after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament on his left knee in the defeat to Chelsea and Arsenal confirmed he will be out for between six to nine months.
Arsenal are now keen on Ake, but Chelsea remain huge favourites to sign the Netherlands International. Chelsea have a clause that can permit the club to sign Ake for £40m, but that clause must be triggered in January or it will expire afterwards.
Ake can be a multipurpose player for the club. While he’s best in his favoured centre-back position, the 24-year-old Ake can also be played at left-back and in defensive midfield.
He is also comfortable in the centre of a back four or in a back three.
Chelsea sold Ake to Bournemouth in 2017 for a fee of £20m.