CHERRIES defender Nathan Ake vowed not to be affected by transfer speculation and insisted: “I love the club.”

The highly-rated Ake is reportedly a summer target for former side Chelsea, who sold the Dutchman to Cherries for £20million in June 2017.

The Sun claims the Blues have a buy-back option of £40m on the 23-year-old, a starter in all 22 of the Dorset outfit’s Premier League games this season.

Chelsea’s options at centre-half could soon be reduced with David Luiz yet to sign a new deal and Gary Cahill looking likely to depart Stamford Bridge.

However, Ake – who was linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham earlier this campaign – says he is enjoying his time at Cherries.

He told the Daily Echo: “Rumours are going to come at one point. They are just rumours and won’t affect me.

“I love the club, I think everyone knows that. Over the past couple of years I have learned a lot about the club and have enjoyed playing for them.

“Overall, it’s been a good season so far. Our attacking players and midfielders have been playing really well.

“The past couple of months have not been the best but I’m sure we will pick ourselves up.”

The former Feyenoord youngster has missed just eight minutes of top-flight football this campaign, meaning ever-present duo Steve Cook and Asmir Begovic are the only Cherries players to feature more than him.

Ake played in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton and cleared off the line from Richarlison before Kurt Zouma and Dominic Calvert-Lewin breached the visitors’ defence.

It was Cherries’ 11th defeat in their past 14 fixtures in all competitions.

“Maybe this game was about the period where we were on top – we needed to finish our chances which would have made it a bit easier,” said Ake.

“In the second half we were under a bit of pressure and defended well. But there were two moments where we didn’t defend well.

“The second goal was when we were all going for it but we needed to defend the first one better, so that’s why it was hard to take.”

Cherries have conceded 17 goals in their past five games and Ake knows that statistic must improve.

Discussing his central defensive partnership with Steve Cook, Ake said: “We have a very good partnership, which is why it is so annoying that we have conceded so many goals.

“People look at defensive numbers and think we concede too many, which is true.

“But I’m really liking the partnership with Steve. It’s just about making sure we keep clean sheets now.

“Steve has been really consistent. In every game, he has performed.

“He is dangerous in the other box and always defends really well. I really like playing alongside him.”

Capped 10 times at senior international level, Ake last season completed a clean sweep of player-of-the-year awards, including the prestigious Daily Echo/Micky Cave supporters’ player-of-the-year gong.