Reports in England claim Pep Guardiola will look to rival Chelsea in attempting to sign Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake next month.

Aymeric Laporte’s long-term injury has left City short of options at the back and their shaky defence has seen them slip 14 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

The 24-year-old who can play as a centre-back or full-back is seen as an ideal candidate to alleviate City’s defensive issues.

Chelsea retain an interest in a player they sold to Bournemouth for £20million in 2017 and inserted a £40million buy-back clause into the sale.