Who wants Nathan Ake? Or better yet — who doesn’t?

Manchester City are reportedly open to letting Nathan Ake leave in January and have even sounded out Barcelona over a possible move for the Dutch defender.

Ake joined City back in the summer of 2020, but his early years at the Etihad were disrupted by fitness issues and inconsistent form, which kept him from becoming a regular starter during his first two seasons.

Although his future looked uncertain in the summer of 2022, the defender stayed put and went on to enjoy a remarkable turnaround in the 2022–23 campaign. Ake emerged as an important figure in Pep Guardiola’s squad, playing a major role in City’s historic treble run.

He featured in the Champions League final and made 41 appearances across all competitions—more than he had managed in the previous two seasons combined.

That resurgence was rewarded with a new contract in the summer of 2023, and Ake maintained a strong level the following season as City secured a fourth straight Premier League title. He impressed both as a left-back in one-on-one duels and as a central defender, where his box defending proved crucial.

However, last season was far less kind to the 30-year-old. Persistent injuries limited him to just 18 appearances, while City endured their toughest defensive campaign under Guardiola. This season has brought little improvement for Aké personally, as he has struggled to regain a foothold in the starting lineup despite returning to full fitness.

According to Football Espana, City could look to include Ake in a cash-plus-player deal for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who is said to be keen on a January move to work under Guardiola and compete for major honours. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are also expected to be active in the defensive market, with captain Marc Guehi set to leave the club on a free transfer next summer.