SKIPPER Simon Francis admits Cherries "are going to have to get used to" their prized assets being linked with the Premier League's big guns.

Dutch defender Nathan Ake has been touted for moves to Manchester City, Manchester United, former club Chelsea and Tottenham, with Sky Sports days ago claiming Spurs were "closely monitoring" the 23-year-old.

However, the Sunday Express said Chelsea were ready to meet a reported £40million buy back clause for Ake, who joined Cherries for £20million in the summer of 2017.

Sky reported Tottenham "have their eye on" midfielder Lewis Cook and claimed England star Callum Wilson and Welsh winger David Brooks "also have admirers" at the London club.

Earlier this month, the Daily Mirror said Wilson was “being tracked” by Chelsea, while boss Eddie Howe has been tipped to take a job at a top-six club by pundits Jamie Redknapp and Danny Murphy.

The raft of attention has been due in no small part to Cherries' strong start to the season. Despite defeats to Manchester United and Newcastle United in their past two outings, Howe's side are sixth in the Premier League table, above the likes of Manchester United, Everton and 2015-16 champions Leicester City.

Asked if Cherries would have to get used to such rumours, experienced defender Francis told the Daily Echo: “I think so. It might go hand in hand with any success we have in the next few years.

“It’s always going to happen. We are a unique football club, one of those modern clubs which plays in the right way so the bigger teams who play in a similar style are always going to show an interest, whether that’s in the manager or our players.

“It’s something we are going to have to get used to but it’s a positive and can only give the players confidence and the manager as well.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Fraser scored his first international goal in Scotland's 4-0 thrashing of 10-man Albania in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday.

The flying winger got off the mark in the 14th minute in Shkoder, driving into the penalty area and shifting the ball on to his right foot, before curling a terrific effort low into the far corner.

On Friday, Brooks impressed but his Wales side lost 2-1 at home to Denmark in the Nations League, a result which meant Ryan Giggs's side missed out on promotion.

Ake was an injury-time substitute in the Netherlands’ 2-0 success against world champions France. The centre-back will hope to feature in tomorrow's trip to Germany, with progress to the finals of the competition still a possibility.

On Thursday, Cook captained England under-21s to a 2-1 friendly win over Italy in Ferrara.

Alex Dobre was a second-half substitute in Romania under-21s’ 3-3 draw against visitors Belgium.