Newcastle Transfer Round-Up: Every Player Linked From July 13th-19th
18. Nathan Ake (Chelsea)
Newcastle United have been linked with a move for a second Chelsea youngster in as many days after being credited with an interest in the Blues' versatile midfielder Nathan Ake. Leicester City and Aston Villa are also chasing the 20-year-old who could be allowed to leave the Premier League champions on a season-long loan, according to The Telegraph. The Holland Under-21 international could become the sixth Dutch player at St James' Park if he does move to the North East. Ake's link to Newcastle comes just a day after news emerged that the Magpies had made an enquiry about taking Blues' 20-year-old centre-back Kurt Zouma on loan for the campaign too (pictured above). Daryl Janmaat, Tim Krul, Vurnon Anita, Siem de Jong and new £14.5 million signing Georginio Wijnaldum are the Dutchmen already at the Magpies, so Ake could become an interesting and welcome addition to their squad who could settle in immediately. Chelsea signed the versatile midfielder-cum-defender - he can play in defensive-midfield, full-back or centre-back - from Feyenoord in 2011 and he has made 12 first-team appearances for the Blues since, as well as five on loan at Reading last season. He already has a UEFA Europa League and a Capital One Cup medal in his collection, as well as having won two UEFA Under-17 Championships with Holland and a FA Youth Cup with Chelsea. Jose Mourinho rates Ake highly but could decide that allowing him to move to Newcastle, Villa or Leicester for a season could aide his development.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.