Manchester United legend Gary Pallister has urged his former club to pip Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City to the signing of Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake.
Ake, 25 was arguably Bournemouth’s stand-out player this season despite the Cherries suffering relegation misery on the Premier League’s final day which sealed the south coast side’s return to the Championship for the first time since 2015.
The Dutch international is rumoured to be bound for a summer move away from Bournemouth after it was reported by Daily Mail that Chelsea were seriously considering re-signing the player they had let go in 2017.
However, according to The Sun, United are also in the potential suitors mix and one person who would like to see the Reds secure Ake is ex-player Pallister.
Speaking on Man United’s official YouTube Channel, despite being impressed with regular centre-back pairing Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, Pallister admits his former side could benefit from additional defensive options, he said: “Lindelof has had a really good season as well.
“I think after his first year we looked at him and thought, ‘Has he really got the physicality for the Premier League?’
“He’s not as dominant as Harry but I think he’s complementing him. He’s got the hang of the Premier League now, the physicality of it, the pace of it. I think he’s gone strength to strength.”
“But I still think we need another big, powerful, dominant centre-half at the club.
“I think it’s one of the things you’d be looking at. If you get Bailly fit and he gets a run of games there’s potential there – he’s a bit rash at times – but I think if Ole is looking at the squad, I think everyone has been talking about another dominant centre-half.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Ole was looking in that direction.”
Addressing who Pallister would like to see the Reds go after this summer transfer window, he said: “I like Ake. I think he looks the part. He looks a physically strong lad, he’s got pace, he’s not bad on the ball. ‘I think he was linked with City – they’re obviously looking for another centre-half, they’ve had problems at the back. So who knows.
“But he’s someone I’ve looked at at Bournemouth and I’ve been impressed by him. For me, he looks the part.”
Read More Emotional Lingard opens up on difficult season at Manchester United
