Bournemouth are ready to cash in on £40m-rated defender Nathan Ake in the January transfer window, according to a report.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a string of Premier League clubs in recent months, including the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Chelsea are also rumoured to have a buyback clause on the player they sold to Bournemouth for £20m in June 2017.

Eddie Howe could now sanction an exit, with The Sun suggesting that replacements have already been lined up for the New Year.

Bournemouth are said to be focusing on Serie A for young defenders of a similar mould to Ake, while Brentford centre-back Chris Mepham is a long-term target.

Ake, capped nine times by the Netherlands, has also previously represented Reading and Watford.