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Football Insider

Nathan Ake's Future Hangs in Balance: A Potential Move to Barcelona Looms

Manchester City have set a low price tag for Nathan Ake, but the Dutch defender has rejected an opportunity to join struggling West Ham United. Ake's limited game time at Etihad Stadium has sparked interest from multiple Premier League clubs and even caught the eye of cash-strapped Barcelona. The defender's positional flexibility and experience under Guardiola make him an attractive target for the Catalan giants as they seek defensive reinforcement amid financial challenges.

Nathan Ake's Future Hangs in Balance: A Potential Move to Barcelona Looms

Manchester City have set a low price tag for Nathan Ake, though the Dutch defender has rejected a chance to join Premier League strugglers West Ham United. Ake has experienced limited game time at Etihad Stadium in 2025-26 as he has fallen down the pecking order in Pep Guardiola's backline. The Netherlands international has started in just five matches, with the majority of his minutes coming in the Carabao Cup.According to talkSPORT, Ake is open to a move away from Etihad Stadium in the January transfer window after clocking just 596 minutes on the pitch in the 2025-26 campaign at City. However, the Dutch centre-back has rejected a chance to join Premier League strugglers West Ham United as the defender does not want to sign for a club who are currently 18th in the league and are at risk of relegation. City are open to selling the defender in the upcoming window and have even set his price lowly at just £21 million ($28m).Ake has also attracted interest from three other Premier League clubs, namely Bournemouth, Newcastle and Crystal Palace, who are monitoring the 30-year-old's situation at the Etihad Stadium. Reports have also emerged that Barcelona have also shown interest in the City star, despite being cash-strapped. The Catalan giants are looking for a replacement for Andreas Christensen, who is out with a long-term injury.Ake would bring versatility that Flick’s Barcelona squad currently lacks. Comfortable both as a left-sided centre-back and at left-back, he offers tactical flexibility at a time when fixture congestion is beginning to affect the Spanish champions. That adaptability is especially valuable for a side operating with a thin defensive unit and limited rotation options.However, any move for Ake would almost certainly need to be structured as a loan, given the Catalan club's ongoing financial challenges. While City are more keen on a permanent sale, the relationship between the clubs and the respect Guardiola commands in Barcelona could play a role in facilitating discussions.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Beyond Ake's positional flexibility and years of experience, the fact that the defender has trained under Guardiola at City is viewed as a major asset by the Barcelona hierarchy. His familiarity with positional play, ball progression from deep areas and defensive discipline aligns closely with Catalan giants' footballing identity. For the club's sporting department, the logic is clear: a player already schooled in Guardiola’s methods is likely to settle quickly into a system that values control, structure and intelligent movement. In a short-term loan scenario, immediate adaptability is crucial, and Ake is seen as capable of delivering that without a prolonged settling-in period in the second half and the most important juncture of the season. Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingWhile City will push for Ake to exit in the January window, the club's immediate priority remains securing the transfer of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo as early as possible. talkSPORT reported on Monday that the Cherries and the Cityzens have held positive talks over the structure of payments for Semenyo's £65 million ($87.5m) transfer fee and Bournemouth are now preparing to sell their star player in the next few days. Semenyo, though, is expected to travel with the squad to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Tuesday and that match could be his farewell outing for the club. Semenyo has given his verbal consent to complete the transfer and the formal process will begin once the transfer window officially opens on January 1.

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Nathan Ake's Dwindling Game Time at Etihad Stadium

Nathan Ake, despite his quality, has found himself on the fringes at Manchester City in the 2025-26 season. Limited to just five starts predominantly in the Carabao Cup, the Dutch defender has clocked minimal minutes on the pitch, prompting talks of a potential January exit.

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Rejection of West Ham United and Interest from Other Premier League Clubs

While West Ham United sought Ake's services, the defender turned down the move to a relegation-threatened side. Other Premier League clubs such as Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace are monitoring the situation closely, providing Ake with alternative options for a potential transfer.

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Barcelona's Interest and Need for Defensive Reinforcement

Barcelona's pursuit of Ake stems from their urgent requirement for defensive reinforcements, particularly in light of Andreas Christensen's long-term injury. Ake's versatility and familiarity with Guardiola's tactics make him an appealing target for the Catalan giants, albeit likely in a loan capacity due to the club's financial constraints.

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City's Emphasis on Antoine Semenyo Amidst Ake's Possible Departure

While Manchester City are open to Ake's departure, their immediate focus remains on securing the transfer of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. Positive talks have taken place regarding Semenyo's move, with City prioritizing this deal alongside Ake's potential exit in the upcoming transfer window.

Published on Dec 30, 2025