Chelsea must act quickly to trigger their buy-back clause in Nathan Ake's deal with Bournemouth.

He was sold to Bournemouth in 2017 but Chelsea inserted a £40m clause into the contract whereby they would have first refusal on the central defender.

But the Athletic says that the clause in question is due to expire prior to the summer of 2020 and so January represents the Blues' last chance to steal a march on their rivals, with interest growing in the highly-rated Ake.

The report goes on to add that talk of a move for Ake was not discussed between the two clubs but there is an expectation that things could accelerate quickly if Chelsea decide to firm up their interest in the Dutchman.

A complicating factor is that Ake is facing a spell on the sidelines having been forced off in the home defeat with Liverpool with injury.