Barca are seeking a new centre-half signing for next month and currently studying the Premier League market for solutions.
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Enquiries after Nottingham Forest defender Murillo are proving a dead-end, with City Ground chiefs slapping a £100m price-tag on the Brazil international and insisting no business will be considered until the summer.
City, however, are more open to discussing a deal for Ake, who has found himself sidelined this season.
Sport says Barce are ready to open talks with City about an initial loan arrangement for the Holland international.