Howe plans a £40M raid for Chelsea boys

BOURNEMOUTH are preparing a staggering £40million bid for CHELSEA duo Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake.

The Cherries are ready to test the resolve of the newly-crowned champions to keep hold of two members of their first-team squad.

And they are prepared to smash their transfer record not once, but twice, in order to push on next season.

They have targeted Ake after the defender spent a successful spell on loan at the Vitality Stadium last season.

That loan was cut short after Antonio Conte recalled the versatile Ake back to Stamford Bridge ahead of the run-in.

It is little surprise that Cherries’ chief Eddie Howe has returned for Ake, who impressed during his stay on the south coast, and no big shock either that Begovic has moved onto the Bournemouth radar.

The Bosnia goalkeeper was a spectator for a large part of the campaign as he played second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois.

Begovic, 29, is still in his prime and although Arthur Boruc has performed creditably, the arrival of the former Stoke City man, once linked with Bayern Munich, would be a definite step up in quality.

Details of the swoop is further proof that Howe has no intention of standing still.

Bournemouth are among the favourites to sign Jermain Defoe when he eventually leaves SUNDERLAND, although the 34-yearold striker is reported to have demanded £100,000 a week and a £6m signing-on fee.

And they are also in the running for Chelsea’s’ John Terry although they face competition from WEST BROM.