Manchester City found themselves in a difficult position earlier in this transfer window.
Pep Guardiola does not like to keep unhappy players and the offer of more regular first team football at his former club was tempting for Nathan Ake, yet losing the Dutchman would weaken the centre-back position that had already creaked at the end of last season. It was decided that City would need to line up an alternative as well as holding out for at least £50m for the transfer to happen.
Despite reports of ever-increasing confidence of a deal from the Chelsea end, it was called off before City went on their pre-season tour because the West London club would not meet the valuation. Even if the Blues could have wiggled on the fee, the scarcity of available alternatives on the market made it an easy decision if Chelsea wouldn't stump up the cash.
