Manchester City are ready to pounce for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake by making a £40m bid in the January transfer window.

The Dutchman has been one of the greatest performers in the English Premier League this season, leading to rumoured interest from elite clubs with the like of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

According to The Sun, Manchester City have emerged as rumoured suitors for the centre-back as manager Pep Guardiola has been keeping a close eye on the Netherlands international.

Ake, 23, who started his career with Chelsea’s academy – can also deploy at left-back or defensive midfield and would boost City’s home-grown quota.

Pep Guardiola is said to rate the Dutchman as a world-class defenders in the making and will now attempt to make a move early in the New Year.