Cherries Fail With Ake Bid  (Sky Sports)

Bournemouth made a dramatic bid for Chelsea left-back Nathan Ake on Deadline Day, according to Sky sources.

The Dutch defender spent the first half of the season on loan with the Cherries and excelled with three goals in eight Premier League starts.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte recalled Ake earlier this month to bolster his squad depth and aid the Blues' title challenge.

Ake spent last season on loan at Watford and is highly regarded by the Chelsea hierarchy who opted to keep hold of the promising 21-year-old, despite the bid from Bournemouth.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe confirmed after his side's 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace that Chelsea had rebuffed the Cherries' advances for Ake.

Howe said: "We had discussions with Chelsea. The bid that has been reported in the media was miles off the mark.

"We made an enquiry about the opportunity of bringing him back on loan or on a permanent deal, but that was declined."