West Ham eye wantaway Man City star Nathan Ake if they can’t sign Axel Disasi

But the club has a plan in place if the move can’t be made permanent or renewed this summer with Nathan Ake the man Nuno Espirito Santo wants as his plan B.

Disasi has helped transform West Ham’s defence – and season – with his brilliant performances since signing on deadline day in the winter window.

Nuno wants Man City’s Ake at West Ham if he can’t have Disasi

His attitude, celebrating tackles and clearances like goals, has endeared him to teammates and West Ham fans alike.

With that comes the inevitable claims that Chelsea now want more to secure Disasi’s services on a permanent basis.

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However, West Ham have to be careful with what threatens to be a limited summer budget against the backdrop of club record losses.

And Hammers News understands the club will not be held to ransom by Chelsea for a player who turns 29 next season.

Should that happen West Ham will turn to Man City’s versatile Dutch defender Ake.

The Hammers were linked with the 31-year-old in the January window.

That was with good reason because Ake is the name Nuno has given to the board as his back-up option if the club cannot bring Disasi back next season.

West Ham came close to signing Ake before Disasi in January.

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West Ham’s board have pledged to keep five key players including Disasi if they can secure Premier League survival.

Last month the Hammers stated they want to keep Disasi but that the move depended on what the player wants.

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That will also obviously be crucial to any hopes of signing Ake, who is leaving Man City this summer after six years.

Ake’s contract will still have a year to run this summer but that means West Ham should be able to sign him for a reasonable fee.

Having come close to joining on loan in January, the player is said to be open to the move as long as the Hammers retain their top flight status and do not carry out a fire sale of key players.

“Disasi is the priority, he has been breath of fresh air on and off the pitch,” a senior source inside West Ham exclusively told Hammers News.

“With Disasi a lot will depend on whether he wants to stay and Chelsea being open to a reasonable deal.

“If not Nuno has provided a list of names for alternatives and Ake is at the top with his camp already on the hunt for a new club.”

Left-footed Ake can play in a two centre-back partnership, in a back three, at left-back and left wingback.

That will be hugely attractive to West Ham, who are already fending off interest in El Hadji Malick Diouf from the likes of Man United.

Former Hammers boss David Moyes is a potential problem as Everton are also believed to be interested in signing Ake this summer.

West Ham’s budget will be restricted this summer after £104m losses with another big deficit forecast in the club’s next accounts too.

But as long as West Ham remain in the Premier League there will be money to spend and Nuno will also be given any money raised from sales, Hammers News has been informed by a senior spokesman for the board.