Nathan Aké enters the list of possible center-backs for Barcelona

The signing of a center-back could become a market priority for FC Barcelona in 2026. With Andreas Christensen injured and Ronald Araujo still sidelined due to his low spirits, the possibility of bringing in another defender in January remains open, taking advantage of the Dane's long-term absence.

One of the names on the Blaugrana's radar is Nathan Aké. The Manchester City defender has played very little this season with Pep Guardiola's team, to the point of only starting in the League Cup. The 30-year-old center-back's contract ends in 2027, and Barça could negotiate a loan or a 'low cost' transfer in the next winter market.

Barça's Options for Negotiating the Signing of Nathan Aké

Aké has only accumulated 595 minutes of action in 13 games (6 as a starter) and City would not close the door on his departure. Looking ahead to the summer, the 'sky blue' side **would accept around 20 million for the Dutch international**, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Bournemouth for 45.3 million in the summer of 2020.

A loan, however, would not be ruled out, this being the path that most favors Barça's interests. The club does not yet operate under the 1:1 rule in LaLiga and the ideal scenario is to bet on a 'low cost' reinforcement for the second half of 25/26.

The City center-back has scored 10 goals and provided 3 assists in 158 appearances, with aerial play being his main strength. However, his salary (10 million gross per year) would not be easy to fit into Barça's wage bill, unless Manchester retains a percentage of his contract.

Hansi Flick prefers to sign another center-back in January

Hansi Flick, for the moment, has Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Ronald Araujo, and Gerard Martín as alternatives for the center of defense, in addition to Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen himself, should he receive medical clearance in the final stretch of the season.

Jofre Torrents could also lend a hand as a center-back, alongside Marc Casadó himself, who has played as a right-back in recent weeks. However, the coaching staff would be delighted to bring in a defender with the experience of Nathan Aké, a key player in the treble-winning City team in 2023.

The good form of Josko Gvardiol and Rúben Dias has relegated him to the bench, along with John Stones and the young Abdukodir Khusanov. Guardiola has enough cover in defense and would not block the '6's' departure, much less if he manages to convince Barcelona to sign him.

Barça wouldn't be alone in the 'race' for Nathan Aké

The latest information, however, points to other clubs being attentive to the Dutch international's future. One of them would be Atlético de Madrid, which, although it has the experienced Clément Lenglet and José María Giménez, has not yet managed to find the ideal partner for Robin Le Normand

Diego Simeone would have asked the club to sign another center-back in winter and Aké would be one of the preferred options for the Argentine coach. Whether in January or next summer, everything indicates that Nathan will leave Manchester City and, probably, the English league, where he has spent practically his entire career (he arrived at Chelsea's academy in 2013 from Feyenoord).