CHERRIES are not in the race to sign Nathan Ake this summer, the Daily Echo understands.

A report by English football transfer website 90min this week listed Cherries among a handful of Premier League clubs "keen" to sign the Dutchman this summer.

It is claimed Manchester City have told the Dutchman he is "free to leave", two years after he joined them from Cherries.

Ake, 27, left Cherries to join City in a £41million deal in 2020, penning a five-year contract.

But the defender, a fans' favourite at Vitality Stadium, has not quite managed to establish himself as a regular starter for Pep Guardiola's side, also battling injury issues in the past two seasons.

Ake has won three trophies during his time in Manchester, including back-to-back Premier League titles.

He has made 40 appearances for the club, scoring four goals.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for their former centre-back.

But the Echo understands Cherries will not be looking to re-sign Ake this summer.

The club have so far made two signings this window, in free agents Ryan Fredericks and Joe Rothwell.