Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona have shifted focus to Nathan Aké after being unable to land Murillo from Nottingham Forest
- Nottingham Forest set a £100 million price tag for Murillo and will not entertain offers before the summer
- Manchester City is open to negotiating a loan with an option to buy for Aké, as he has started fewer matches this season
Barcelona’s Defensive Reinforcements in January
The management at Barcelona is actively exploring options to bolster their central defence in the January transfer window, with a particular focus on Premier League talent, according to “Sport”. Their initial ambition was to secure Nottingham Forest’s Murillo. However, negotiations quickly stalled when the City Ground club’s executives demanded £100 million for the Brazilian international and declared there would be no consideration of any proposals before the summer.
🚨 Nathan Aké’s agent has offered the player to FC Barcelona. The Dutch player wants guarantees to play in the World Cup. [@Soso9zb] 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/tGfHOW0Cw6
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) December 27, 2025
Shift Towards Nathan Aké
With Murillo effectively out of reach for the time being, Barcelona’s attention has turned to Manchester City’s Nathan Aké. The Dutch defender has found himself less frequently in the starting line-up this season, which has led his club to be more amenable to transfer discussions.
Potential Loan Deal Structure
Barcelona is reportedly prepared to approach Manchester City with a proposal for an initial loan agreement for Aké, accompanied by an option to purchase. Manchester City, while open to talks, will only consider the arrangement if the terms meet their satisfaction and present a sufficiently attractive offer.
