NATHAN Ake is "likely" to join Manchester City this summer, according to a report in L'Equipe.

Ake has made 79 appearances for Cherries since his permanent transfer from Chelsea in June 2017, scoring six goals including the late winner in the final home game of 2018-19 against Tottenham.

The centre-back has featured in every Premier League match for the past two seasons with his performances reportedly attracting the likes of Tottenham and Napoli.

But it is the champions Man City who the French publication believe lead the race with a fee of around £40million being mooted.

Ake, 24, initially moved to Vitality Stadium on loan in July 2016, spending around five months at Cherries before heading back to parent club Chelsea for the remainder of the campaign.

But Eddie Howe made the move permanent for the Dutch international that summer for £20million, which was a club-record transfer at the time.

Ake, who has 10 senior caps, was part of the Netherlands squad which finished as runners-up at the inaugural UEFA Nations League finals earlier this summer.