Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has no concerns over Nathan Ake, despite transfer speculation surrounding the defender.
Ake has impressed for the Cherries since arriving on a permanent deal in June 2017 and has been a key performer in Bournemouth s impressive start to the campaign.
The centre-back s form has seen him linked with moves to both Tottenham and Manchester United, but Howe has no fears over losing the 23-year-old, who he insists will be unaffected by the rumours.
I think that s a compliment to Nathan and how he s played since he signed for us permanently, Howe told Sky Sports.
He s been a model of consistency. He picked up all the player awards that he did at the end of last season and he s carried that form into this [season].
With any type of speculation that you are linked with, the clubs he s been mentioned with, it s a good sign.
However, that doesn t mean we re about to lose him. He s a massive part of what we re doing.
[There has been] nothing from our side, where it comes from I don t know. It s inevitable when the team is doing well people will naturally highlight our players, potential players who can go on and play at a higher level.
I look at it as a compliment to the team. It certainly won t disrupt Nathan, knowing how level-headed he is. For him he s such a good personality it won t affect him in any way.
. sat down with the to discuss
The home form
Working with the boss
Targets for the campaign
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth)
Bournemouth sit sixth with 16 points from their opening eight games and are hunting a third successive Premier League win when they host south-coast rivals Southampton on Saturday.
