"This context has caught Barcelona's attention. The club is said to be seriously considering a move for Ake, either on loan or on a loan deal that includes an option to buy at the end of the season. Meanwhile, from a sporting perspective, Ake ticks several important boxes. He is a versatile defender who can operate both as a left-sided centre-back and as a left-back, a quality that is highly valued given Barcelona's thin squad and demanding fixture list."
"His tactical education under Guardiola is another major plus, as it suggests he would adapt quickly to Barcelona's possession-based and positional style of play. It is known that Barcelona's need for defensive depth has become urgent. Ronald Araujo is currently unavailable, while Andreas Christensen has suffered an injury that has ruled him out for the rest of the season. As such, several centre-backs have been linked with Barcelona in recent weeks, including Nicolas Otamendi, Stefan de Vrij, and Marcos Senesi."
Nathan Ake could be open to a January move due to limited minutes at Manchester City. The 30-year-old has been a trusted squad player under Pep Guardiola but lacks the regular role he desires. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Ake prioritizes securing more game time to protect his place with the Netherlands. Barcelona are considering a loan or loan-with-option-to-buy to bolster defensive cover. Ake offers versatility as a left-sided centre-back and left-back and benefits from Guardiola's tactical education, suggesting quick adaptation to possession-based play. Defensive depth is urgent after Araujo's unavailability and Christensen's season-ending injury.
Read at Barca Universal
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