NATHAN Ake stressed his “love” for life at “family club” Cherries amid speculation over a move to re-join Chelsea.

The Dutch defender has been heavily linked with a return to Stamford Bridge having left the Blues to link up with Eddie Howe’s men in 2017.

Sky Sports have reported Chelsea have a buy-back option of £40million for the former Feyenoord youngster, while Manchester City are also rumoured to be interested.

But Ake stressed his fondness for Cherries, having now played more than 100 games for the Dorset club.

"I love Bournemouth," Ake told Sky Sports. "The place where we live is amazing. It's so chilled, nice and also the club itself is a family club. Especially as a young player to come here, it's a perfect fit.

"I don't like to look too far ahead normally, I see it season-by-season or game-by-game. We will see what happens. I don't like to go too much ahead of time."

Ake is set to miss Saturday’s trip to Chelsea (3pm) after picking up a hamstring problem against Liverpool.

Asked what was going through his mind following the injury, the 24-year-old replied: “I felt quite bad. After it I couldn’t really walk.

“I was thinking ‘this is going to be a bad one’. It felt very painful, especially in this period we are in now, you don’t need something like that. You want to play every game.”