Opposition boss distances Spurs target from a January exit

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has distanced Tottenham Hotspur from a move for Nathan Ake.

The Dutch defender has been heavily linked with a potential switch to Spurs in the media over the past week, but Howe insists that there has been no contact made by Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Ake joined the Cherries from Chelsea in June 2017 for a club record fee in the region of £20million as reported by talkSPORT at the time following a successful loan spell on the south coast the season before.

According to the Daily Mirror, Spurs are considering tempting Bournemouth with a double-your-money £40million approach in January for the 23-year-old, who qualifies as a home-grown player.

With doubts still hanging over the long-term future of Toby Alderweireld, it appears as if Spurs are looking for potential replacements.

Howe was quoted in his press conference by the Mirror as saying: “That is a compliment to Nathan and how he has played since signing for us permanently.

“He has been the model of consistency and picked up all our awards at the end of last season. He has carried that form into the start of this season.

“With any kind of speculation when you are linked with the type of clubs he has been mentioned, that is a good sign.

“That doesn’t mean we are about to lose him – he is a massive part of what we are doing.

“It is inevitable that when the team is doing well people will highlight our players. I look at it as a compliment for the team but it certainly won’t disrupt Nathan, knowing how level headed he is.”