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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, decided to recall Nathan Ake from his loan spell with Bournemouth early in the month, and the young Dutchman has even played a game for Chelsea since his return.

However, Bournemouth tried to sign the 21-year-old with a £18 million bid for the Dutch defender on the afternoon of deadline day.

It all appeared to be rumours at first, but Cherries manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that they actually tried to sign Ake.

He said: “We had discussions with Chelsea.

“We made an enquiry about bringing him back on loan or permanently. They were denied.”