Pep Guardiola's proposed Nathan Ake afterlife transfer plan hands Thomas Tuchel a major hint amid Chelsea's mission to sign Nathan Ake. The Manchester City defender has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, with the Blues eager to nurse the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
football.london understand that the west Londoners are in advanced talks with the 27-year-old, with a final fee and personal terms being discussed. It's also understood that City want £50million Ake's signature and a replacement waiting in the pipeline.
And, as Chelsea step closer to welcoming the Netherlands international back to the club, Josko Gvardiol has — ironically — emerged as a potential replacement for Ake at the Etihad Stadium. The RB Leipzig defender has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with the west Londoners thought to have been a primary suitor.
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In May, a report from Croatia claimed that Gvardiol's father flew to London to discuss a potential move to Stamford Bridge with head coach Tuchel. It's said that the Croatia international has been eyed by the Chelsea higher-ups as the perfect replacement for Rudiger on the left of a back-three.
Gvardiol, who is regarded as one of football's hottest prospects, enjoyed an exciting breakthrough campaign in the Bundesliga this season, featuring 29 times for Leipzig across the backline. His impressive displays rightfully courted the attention of several top-flight European clubs, though a deal will likely have to wait until next summer.
According to Sportske, Gvardiol is set to agree a new deal at the Red Bull Arena, ending any hope of signing the defender. The report claims that the new contract will include a release clause worth more than €50million (£43m), leaving the door open to a future move in 2023.
The Croatian is a left-footed defender who is comfortable when in possession. He's earned a reputation for his composure and ability to progress the ball through the thirds from deep — the epitome of an all-encompassing modern centre-back.
With Guardiola reportedly joining the queue to sign Gvardiol as a potential replacement for Ake, Chelsea should take the hint that a move for the Leipzig star is far more reasonable — especially coming from a club of City's credibility in the transfer market. And, now that Raphinha's move to Barcelona looks to be out of Todd Boehly's grasp, the Blues could reallocate their funding into a move for the Croatian.
Speaking to Scouted Football, former Dinamo Zagreb head coach Zoran Mamic detailed why Gvardiol could be perfect for Tuchel's back-three philosophy: "With his abilities, in every league, something different is the most important. He has all of it.
"If he goes to Germany, he can play high; he can play dynamic football when you go up and down all the time. For example, they play with three centre-backs because they play 3-5-2 in Germany. He can play that."
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