Howe responds to rumours Ake could return to Chelsea

Eddie Howe says Bournemouth have “had no contact from any other club” as he dismissed rumours of a potential departure for key defender Nathan Ake.

Centre-back Ake, who cost £20million from Chelsea in 2017, has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge.

“We love working with him, we think he’s got outstanding attributes, he’s getting better and better in his position,” Cherries manager Howe said of Ake.

“The speculation, as it has been all January, has been purely that – as with all our players.

“We’ve had no contact from any other club so it’s business as usual.”

Howe, who has signed defenders Nathaniel Clyne and Chris Mepham and striker Dominic Solanke this month, did not rule out strengthening his squad further before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

The Cherries have been linked with a move for out-of-favour Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater, while Howe thinks defender Tyrone Mings could depart on loan.

“We hope the majority of our business is done, if not all of it,” said Howe.

“But I learnt a long time ago never to give clear-cut answers in this situation because you can then have to act in the last few hours.”

Speaking about a temporary move for Mings, Howe added: “That’s a possibility. Tyrone has been dreadfully unlucky since he signed for the football club. He’s such a talented lad, he’s desperate to play so we’ll wait and see.”

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