Manchester City have agreed a £41million fee with AFC Bournemouth to sign Dutch centre-back Nathan Ake, according to reports.
The Cherries were relegated to the Championship on the final day of the Premier League season, and look set to cash in on several of their big-name stars as they prepare for life back in the second tier.
And Ake looks set to be the first player to exit the Vitality Stadium, with City in talks to sign the former Chelsea centre-back.
As part of the deal that took Ake to Bournemouth from Stamford Bridge back in June 2017, Chelsea included a clause in the deal which entitled them to be able to match an offer submitted to Bournemouth for Ake.
But reports claim Chelsea have dropped their interest in Ake after a series of scouting reports, and the Blues will look elsewhere.
One name that has been linked with the Blues is Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, with the Senegal international repeatedly touted with move to the Premier League.
Chelsea's path to signing the 29-year-old may now be even clearer, as according to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City were keen to sign Ake after encountering difficulties in attempting to land Koulibaly.
The journalist claims City are still disgruntled at Napoli because of the deal which saw Jorginho move to Chelsea two years ago.
Guardiola's side were seemingly in pole position to sign the midfielder in a £50million deal, after Jorginho's agent assured them that the Italy international still wanted to join them.
But City pulled out of the move late on after Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis said the player favoured Chelsea.
With City appearing to have dropped their interest in Koulibaly, Chelsea could look to take advantage if Frank Lampard decides to strengthen his central defensive options this summer.
West Ham's Declan Rice has also been linked, but it is understood the Hammers have no intention of selling their prized asset.
The Blues are also interested in signing a new left-back and also a goalkeeper, with Kepa Arrizabalaga seemingly out of favour.
