Bournemouth Lead Ake Chase  (Sky Sports)

Bournemouth are increasingly confident they are close to agreeing a deal to sign Nathan Ake from Chelsea.

The Cherries face competition from other clubs, such as Leicester City and Southampton, who are also interested in signing the 22-year-old defender.

Ake, who is expected to cost at least £20m, spent the first half of last season on loan at Bournemouth before being recalled in January.

Bournemouth made a bid to sign Ake at the end of the January transfer window but were rebuffed by Chelsea.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe said at the time: "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."

Ake, who made his international debut for Holland against Morocco in March, has previously been on loan with Watford and Reading.