Manchester City experienced star remains an option for Barcelona – report | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City defender Nathan Ake remains on FC Barcelona’s shortlist for the summer. He is not viewed as the club’s top priority, but he is considered one of the more affordable options available on the market.

The 31-year-old Dutch defender has lost prominence during the current season at the Etihad Stadium, and his contract runs until 2027. As such, he is believed to be open to a change of scenery.

Ake to be Barcelona’s defensive reinforcement?

Barcelona are on the lookout for a new centre-back and have identified Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan as their primary target.

Negotiations with the Serie A champions could be tricky over the price point, which is why the Catalans are preparing contingencies. This is where Ake enters the picture.

Ake’s profile fits what Barcelona are searching for. He is a centre-back capable of making an immediate impact due to his experience and maturity. He has extensive Premier League experience and is also an established Netherlands international.

Nathan Ake is on Barcelona’s shortlist. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Although he is not particularly tall at 1.82 metres, he is strong in aerial duels and stands out for his technical ability when playing out from the back. He also likes to contribute in attacking situations.

Difficulties expected

The main obstacle is that Manchester City are unwilling to offer discounts to a direct European rival like Barcelona, especially with the World Cup approaching, as a good run from Ake there could boost his value.

Barcelona would face additional complications should they decide to pursue his signing. Ake earns a high salary, meaning the club would need to make a significant financial effort.

Any amortisation of the transfer would also need to be completed over a relatively short period. As a result, what initially appears to be a low-cost signing could ultimately become much more expensive.

Moreover, Ake also has interest from several Premier League clubs as well as in the Serie A. AC Milan, Juventus, and AS Roma are all monitoring the defender closely and would be willing to move for his signature.