Hector Fort has accepted that his future lies away from FC Barcelona during this summer’s transfer window, reports Mundo Deportivo.
The 20-year-old La Masia right-back has understood that he is not counted on by manager Hansi Flick for the upcoming season, and the club and his representatives are now working to find the best way to complete a deal.
Barcelona want a sizeable fee
As per the report, Barcelona value the defender at between €15 million and €20 million. There is currently no concrete offer on the table, although several clubs have expressed interest.
Neither Barcelona nor Fort see a loan as the preferred option. The intention is for the youngster to leave the club permanently, although the Catalans want to protect themselves for the future.
Depending on which club ultimately makes a move for him, Barça could retain a significant percentage of the player’s rights or include a buy-back option in the agreement.
On his way out. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
La Liga clubs have been particularly attentive to Fort’s situation, but the requirement for a permanent transfer limits the options available to Spanish teams.
Premier League the ideal destination
In this scenario, the Premier League appears to be the ideal destination. English football is, in principle, the market with the greatest financial capacity to complete a deal of this size.
Fort himself is also attracted by the possibility of moving to England. His future, therefore, could become increasingly linked to the Premier League.
As reported previously, Everton are understood to be leading the race for the 20-year-old La Masia prospect, while there is also some tentative interest from Liverpool and Fulham too.
Competition from Xavi Espart
Xavi Espart is ahead of Fort in Flick’s pecking order. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Fort spent the last season on loan at Elche and returned this summer aiming to convince Flick and earn a place in the first-team plans. However, things have not turned out that way.
Fellow La Masia graduate Xavi Espart, despite being a year younger, is ahead of Fort in Flick’s thinking, which has played a part in the latter’s decision to move on.
For Fort, the objective is now clear: find a permanent destination that offers him the playing time and development opportunities he is unlikely to receive at Barcelona.