Overview
- Manchester City are not open to a straight loan for Nathan Ake and prefer a permanent transfer or player exchange, creating the main obstacle to a deal.
- Nathan Ake is receptive to leaving in January to secure regular minutes and protect his Netherlands place ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
- Barcelona’s plan centers on a short loan, potentially with an option to buy, constrained by Financial Fair Play and the likely use of LaLiga’s emergency-injury registration.
- Injuries have thinned Barcelona’s defense, with Andreas Christensen ruled out for the season and Ronald Araujo currently unavailable.
- Beyond a winter stopgap, Barcelona are monitoring Konstantinos Koulierakis and Luka Vuskovic for a longer-term addition, though January moves are viewed as unlikely.