Nathan Ake: Manchester City complete £41m transfer of relegated Bournemouth centre-back

Manchester City have completed the £41m signing of Nathan Ake from relegated Bournemouth as Pep Guardiola's rebuild continues apace.

Ake has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad, with City paying an initial £40m and another £1m in add-ons.

The Netherlands international becomes the second player to join City in the space of two days after the signing of winger Ferran Torres for an initial £20.9m.

Ake will provide much-needed cover in the centre of defence, which Guardiola has lacked following the failure to adequately replace Vincent Kompany last summer.

The 25-year-old is left-footed - like City's first-choice centre-back Aymeric Laporte - and earned a reputation for being comfortable in possession while at the Vitality Stadium.

“City have been the best side in England over the course of the last decade,” Ake said.

“Coming here is a dream for me. This is a top side full of world-class players. Everywhere you look in this squad there are big names with international pedigree.

“Pep is a manager admired across the world – what he’s done in the game speaks for itself. The success he’s had is unbelievable and the style of football he plays really appeals to me.

“I know I’m going to have to work hard to get into the side, but that’s what I’m here to do. I’ll do whatever I can to make an impact and help the team win silverware.”

City's attentions are now expected to turn to another, right-sided centre-half in order to complement Ake and Laporte, with Eric Garcia having emerged as an option from the youth ranks this season.

Guardiola's other centre-backs - John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi - face uncertain futures at the Etihad after struggling to hold down regular places over the past year.

City are also understood to be interested in adding a left-back to Guardiola's squad, following the struggles of Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandar Zinchenko to establish themselves in the position.

Read more

Bale left out of Madrid Champions League squad for City decider