Chelsea are running out of time in their £40million transfer pursuit of Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake.
The Blues sold Ake to the Cherries in 2017 but inserted a buy-back clause in the agreement that allows them first refusal on the centre-back.
However Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard will have to make a decision in the January transfer window as the £40m clause is due to expire before the summer window opens.
Indeed, The Athletic has claimed that January represents the last chance for Chelsea to sign their former defender in a cut-price deal.
The report goes on to say that the Premier League clubs are yet to open discussions over a deal but there is an expectation that Ake may be keen on the move.
Ake, whose Bournemouth side secured a shock 1-0 win at Chelsea over the weekend, is sidelined for up to six weeks with an injury.
That has further increased doubts that Chelsea will step up their pursuit, with Manchester City also linked with a move for the Holland international.
Speaking of the situation surrounding Ake last week, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said: “It would be obviously my wish to hold on to everybody. Some of these things are out of our control.
“We will wait and see. I don’t want to give you evasive answers but I am in no control of that at the moment.
“A lot of things with transfers [from] trying to bring players in, trying to keep the squad we have, is out of my hands.
“Obviously, we will be doing our best to be as strong as we can into the second half of the season.”
