Barcelona is prioritizing two key areas for the upcoming summer transfer window, with a central defender being one of them. This comes despite Director of Football Deco’s previous assertion last summer that the club had an excess of players in that position. However, the current situation suggests a new defensive addition is necessary, particularly to compensate for the potential departure of Inigo Martinez.
While Andreas Christensen is reportedly being offered a contract extension, despite playing only 23 matches over the past two seasons, the defensive line faces other challenges. Ronald Araujo has made only one start since November after taking a mental health break, and Gerard Martin has frequently been deployed in central defense. These circumstances paint a vastly different picture of Barcelona’s defensive depth compared to the start of the season.
Nathan Ake, the Manchester City defender, has emerged as Deco’s top choice for Barcelona’s defensive reinforcements this summer, according to Catalunya Radio. Ake was a prominent name linked with the club during the January transfer window, when a central defender was initially considered a higher priority before Joao Cancelo’s arrival. Although the Dutch international had previously sought more playing time, an injury crisis at Manchester City has seen him feature more regularly under Pep Guardiola.
The club’s other primary objective is securing a centre-forward, a pursuit expected to consume the majority of Barcelona’s available transfer budget this summer. This financial constraint means that high-profile targets like Josko Gvardiol and Alessandro Bastoni are currently beyond the club’s financial reach. Ake, however, presents a more viable option due to having just one year left on his current contract, potentially making him available for a more affordable transfer fee.
Furthermore, the 31-year-old brings a wealth of top-level experience and offers valuable versatility, being capable of playing both central defense and left-back. These attributes collectively position him as Deco’s favored candidate for the role.