Transfer Talk: Manchester City closing in on Nathan Ake’s deal, other transfer stories

Manchester City have held talks with Bournemouth potentially about signing their defender Nathan Ake this summer.

Discussions over the defender are at an early stage and there are a number of other clubs understood to be monitoring the situation.

He is contracted to Bournemouth until 2022, but their likely relegation from the Premier League this season means they would be resigned to losing one of their most highly-regarded and sought-after players.

The transfer window in England opens on 27 July nd closes at 11 pm on 5 October.

Related: Premier League, EFL agree July 27 to October 5 for Transfer window

City have also been linked with several center-backs since the departure of Vincent Kompany at the end of last season. They missed out on signing Harry Maguire last summer to their rivals Manchester United and have consistently been linked with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

Ake has long been linked with a return to Chelsea, whom he joined from Feyenoord in 2010 as a 15-year-old.

The 25-year-old first joined Bournemouth on loan in June 2016 before being recalled by Chelsea six months later. He made the move to the south coast permanent in June 2017 for a club-record fee of £20m.

Ake has been capped 13 times by the Netherlands.

The Bournemouth’s defender has been a regular since joining the Cherries and has made 29 starts for his side this season, scoring two goals. Bournemouth faces a tough test as they are unfortunately likely to be relegated from the Premier League this season.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta optimistic of Auba stay after positive talks

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says he “likes the way the conversations are going” with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over a new contract extension and is confident his captain will stay.

Aubameyang, who scored twice for the Gunners in Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup semi-final win over holders Manchester City, has a year remaining on his current deal at the Emirates.

Arteta admitted on Monday that the future of his captain and top scorer remains uncertain but expects a resolution to be found between the club and the striker over a new deal.

“I don’t know, to put a date right now is very difficult,” says Arteta when asked about a deadline for negotiations.

“I like the way the conversations are going, I like what I’m hearing. I’m sure for both parties, the quicker we can do it, the better for everyone.

“I am confident he will extend his stay.”

Asked what gives him the confidence his captain will stay, Arteta continued: “He’s generally happy. I think he is enjoying his football. He is settled in the country and his family are good.

“I think he can sense – and we’ve told him – how much we like him, how much we value him. I think the connection he has with the fans is unique. I believe he is in the perfect place for him.

“Everything I have from him and the people around him is the same. So I don’t have any arguments to say something different.”

Arteta said last week after Wednesday’s win o newly-crowned Premier League champions, Liverpool, that he had big concerns about how much money he would be given in the summer to improve his squad.

But the Spaniard has now changed his tune and says he and the club’s hierarchy are “on the same page” with more concrete information about his transfer budget expected to arrive in the next few weeks.

“I think we will get all of the support that we need,” he adds.

“Some of the limitations that we have and the uncertainties that we have are going to be a little bit clearer in the next week or two weeks and then we will be in a much stronger position to know how much we can do or cannot do.

“But I am very positive because everything I’m hearing is that we want the same thing and that’s the most important thing.”

Eric Dier signs new contract extension until 2024 at Tottenham

Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has extended his contract with the club until 2024.

The 26-year-old, who joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, was due to be out of contract next summer but has decidedd to put pen to paper.

“I’m really happy to continue here and commit to this new journey we are on,” says Dier

“The club gave me my opportunity in England and has given me so much but I want to have even better times.”

The England international adds: “I still feel there are a lot of things I need to achieve here before it’s over. I feel like I’m at the beginning of a new journey albeit at the same place.

“My clear objective and I think the manager’s clear objective is to try and win trophies for this club.

“When the day does come to leave this club I want to leave knowing that I have done that.”

His contract had been due to expire at the end of next season, and reports in the English media had suggested his six-year spell in the North London could be coming to an end.

Dier has made 239 appearances for Spurs, scoring 11 times, and won 40 international caps for England, forming part of the squad that finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup.