Chelsea looking to re-sign another academy graduate despite costly Lukaku mistake

Chelsea are interested in signing former academy graduate Nathan Ake from Manchester City, despite their £100 million move for Romelu Lukaku last summer proving costly. 

The Belgian departed Chelsea back in 2014 but returned to Stamford Bridge for a club record fee 12 months ago, although the striker failed to impress last season and is now set to leave the club once again.

With that in mind, Thomas Tuchel could be forgiven for giving ex-academy products a wide berth, although it appears that he is instead keen on recruiting one of the former stars of the club’s Cobham academy.

As per The Daily Telegraph, the Blues have approached Manchester City with an enquiry into the availability of both Raheem Sterling and Ake.

Ake could be set for a shock return to Chelsea

The Dutch defender made his senior debut for Chelsea in 2012 but made only 16 more for the club before departing permanently to Bournemouth in 2017.

He then moved to City for £40 million in 2020, but has struggled to maintain a regular starting spot and could be sold for the right price.

Tuchel could be forced to replace as many as four defenders this summer, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen having already left the club and both Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta looking likely to follow suit.

Ake’s versatility would appeal to the German, as he can play at centre-back, left-back and in midfield.

The Blues’ pursuit of Sterling looks increasingly likely to prove successful, meanwhile, with the report claiming that new owner Todd Boehly has already made contact with the club to gauge their stance on the England international.