Nathan Ake gives green light for Barcelona loan as Manchester City present January hurdle | OneFootball

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has emerged as a serious option for Barcelona as the Catalan giants intensify their search for defensive reinforcements in January.

Ake has barely kicked a ball for Manchester City this season, with a majority of the 30-year-old’s minutes coming in the Carabao Cup this term amid pressure from Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman for the centre-half to improve his club situation.

The Dutch star has made just one Premier League start since February – in a 2-0 win over Everton in October – with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol forging a formidable partnership in central defence for Pep Guardiola since the latter stages of the 2024-25 campaign, which has restricted Ake to a bit-part role.

Recurring fitness setbacks have not helped Ake either, with huge uncertainty looming over the former Bournemouth man’s future at the Etihad Stadium into January, when Ake could part ways with Manchester City despite his current deal running till 2027.

At Manchester City, Ake has been a trusted squad member since he joined from Bournemouth in 2020, notably playing a starring role in the Blues’ domestic and European successes in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.

Valued for his reliability and versatility across the back line, Ake has a future at Manchester City under Guardiola, who values the Dutchman’s experience and would like to keep the defender in his ranks beyond January, as has been cited in recent reports.

However, increased competition for minutes and City’s long-term planning under director of football Hugo Viana have opened the door to speculation over Ake’s future. According to Diario Sport and as relayed by Get Football News Spain, Barcelona have intensified their pursuit of Ake in January.

The interest comes at a pivotal moment for Barcelona, who have been forced back into the market following another damaging injury setback. Andreas Christensen has been ruled out with a long-term ACL injury, leaving head coach Hansi Flick short of reliable options in central defence at a demanding stage of the season.

Christensen’s absence has left Barcelona’s sporting department scrambling to find experience and stability at the heart of their backline. With a congested calendar and ambitions in both La Liga and Europe, the club’s hierarchy – guided by sporting director Deco – have prioritised defenders who can slot into a high-level system without a prolonged adaptation period.

Ake fits that brief. Comfortable both as a centre-back and left-sided defender, the 30-year-old offers tactical flexibility, composure in possession and a strong understanding of positional play – traits that align closely with Flick’s demands for his defensive unit.

The report has added that Ake is open to the idea of joining Barcelona – that willingness is expected to play a crucial component in a potential deal, particularly given the financial and structural challenges involved. Despite the apparent alignment between player and prospective club, negotiations are unlikely to be straightforward.

Barcelona are understood to favour a loan arrangement, consistent with their cautious financial strategy and short-term squad needs. Manchester City, by contrast, are reportedly pushing for a permanent sale, reflecting both Ake’s age profile and their desire to recoup value instead of losing him for a lower fee in the summer.

This divergence represents the central obstacle in discussions. City are under no immediate pressure to sell, while Barcelona must balance squad strengthening with financial compliance. Any compromise may require creative structuring, potentially involving options or obligations tied to performance and availability.

For Barcelona, the priority is not just cover but assurance – a defender capable of steadying the back line without disrupting the team’s rhythm. Ake’s profile addresses that need directly. The situation is expected to develop as the January window progresses.