AFC Bournemouth are staring relegation in the face.
Eddie Howe’s side have lost their last two outings, to Manchester City and Southampton, after a shock 4-1 win over Leicester City.
It means that they are currently 19th in the Premier League table, three points away from safety.
Going into the last day of the season, then, they know that they need to beat Everton to have any chance of retaining their Premier League status.
That may not be enough, though, as they would also need Watford to lose to Arsenal, and Aston Villa, who beat the Gunners in midweek, to lose to West Ham United.
It seems a tall order, then, but there remains a chance that survival could well be achieved in something of a great escape.
There is, though, the possibility that players could leave the club regardless of whether they stay up.
Indeed, Ryan Fraser departed on the expiration of his contract, opting not to sign a short-term extension until the end of the season.
And it appears that Nathan Ake could follow him out of the club.
The Dutchman is a wanted man and a recent Guardian article claimed that he could well move to Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
However, that claim has now been contradicted by The Sun, who claim that Ake is in no rush to choose a move to the Etihad Stadium, given that he knows he will be in demand this summer.
Chelsea reportedly retain a buy-back option on Ake, who came through their academy system, while Manchester United have also made their interest known.
Bournemouth, it is claimed, will not stand in the defender’s way if he does wish to leave this summer.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Ake should be keeping his options open.
As a left-footed centre-back, he is a rare breed, and he is also one who boasts plenty of Premier League experience.
Throughout his career, he has tallied a total of 146 league appearances, scoring 12 goals and also registering seven assists.
The 25-year-old remains young enough to be able to improve and grow in a better team and one has to think that the time has come for him to move on from the south coast club.
Bournemouth have won just eight games all season, and have conceded a staggering 64 goals – a figure only bettered by Norwich, who are bottom, and Aston Villa.
Ake is swimming against the tide at Bournemouth, then, but he has retained the ability to move to a much bigger club.
Rushing into a decision doesn’t make any sense; he should be biding his time and picking the very best option when it becomes apparent.