Manchester City bolster defense by signing Ake for reported €43M

It's been a busy couple of days for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's side confirmed the acquisition of Nathan Ake on Wednesday, paying a reported €43-million fee to sign the Dutch defender from Bournemouth, who were relegated from the Premier League last month. The news comes a day after City announced a deal for exciting young winger Ferran Torres.

Ake, 25, inked a five-year contract with the Citizens, and he should slide in alongside fellow left-footer Aymeric Laporte at the heart of City's defense.

"City have been the best side in England over the course of the last decade," Ake said. "Coming here is a dream for me. This is a top side full of world-class players. Everywhere you look in this squad there are big names with international pedigree."

He added: "I know I'm going to have to work hard to get into the side, but that's what I'm here to do. I'll do whatever I can to make an impact and help the team win silverware."

Ake leaves the Cherries after making 109 appearances for the club. He played every Premier League match for Eddie Howe's team in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. After enduring a host of defensive issues over the past campaign - including both key injuries and poor form - that durability surely played a role in City swooping in for the former Chelsea product.

Laporte's long-term injury absence was a defining element of City's disappointing league campaign. Combined with uninspiring play from both John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi, Guardiola often opted to utilize veteran Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho at center-back.

Ake, comfortable with the ball at his feet and solid in the air, should help alleviate some of those problems at the Etihad Stadium next season.