Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has his sights set on a move to Barcelona, with fresh reports confirming the Dutchman is "genuinely interested" in swapping the Etihad for the Camp Nou in January.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT (via Yahoo Sports), the 30-year-old views the Catalan giants as the ideal destination to revive his season. However, negotiations have already hit a significant stumbling block regarding the structure of the deal.
Ake, who was a pivotal figure in City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign, has fallen dramatically down the pecking order this term. With just one Premier League start to his name, he has found himself stuck behind Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, leading to fears he could lose his starting spot in the Netherlands squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The "Setback" in Talks
While the player has given the "green light" to the move, the clubs remain far apart. Barcelona, hamstrung by their perennial financial issues, are proposing a six-month loan deal with a non-mandatory option to buy. They view Ake as a short-term emergency solution following the long-term injury to Andreas Christensen and the absence of Ronald Araujo.
Manchester City, however, have rejected this approach. The Premier League champions are reportedly insisting on a permanent transfer or a loan with a mandatory purchase obligation. Reports suggest City are looking to streamline their squad and raise funds for their own targets, with a fee in the region of £25million mooted.
A Perfect Tactical Fit?
From a sporting perspective, the move makes perfect sense for Hansi Flick. Ake’s versatility—capable of playing as a left-sided centre-back or a defensive left-back—is exactly what the Blaugrana are missing. His comfort on the ball and experience in a high line under Pep Guardiola would allow him to slot seamlessly into Barca’s system.
But City are playing hardball. They are aware that Ake also has admirers in the Premier League, with West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Fulham all monitoring his situation. These clubs would likely be more willing to pay an upfront fee than Barcelona, giving City leverage in negotiations.
What Happens Next?
The ball is now in Barcelona’s court. Unless they can find a way to structure a deal that guarantees City a future fee, they risk missing out on their top defensive target. For Ake, the clock is ticking; staying in Manchester could cost him his World Cup dream, but a move to London might not carry the same prestige as leading the line for the La Liga leaders.
Expect intense negotiations in the first week of January as Ake’s camp pushes for a resolution that satisfies all parties.