As part of its determined effort to reclaim its place among Europe’s footballing elite, Barcelona is preparing for a bold summer transfer window. The club, once synonymous with continental dominance, is aiming to rebuild its squad in hopes of returning to Champions League glory after several disappointing seasons.
According to El Nacional, one of the first casualties of this restructuring could be Héctor Fort — and not even his close friendship with Lamine Yamal was enough to secure his place at the club.
New head coach Hansi Flick has already begun shaping his vision for the team, and part of that process involves letting go of players who don’t align with his tactical demands. Fort, despite showing promise and performing well when given the chance under Xavi Hernández, failed to win over Flick.
The German coach reportedly prefers other options at right-back, such as Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, and even Eric García, sidelining Fort in the competition for minutes.
Flick was reportedly straightforward with the 19-year-old defender, advising him to look for a club where he could play regularly next season. A loan move — either within La Liga or abroad — is the most likely scenario. The goal is to provide Fort with consistent playing time and help him develop away from the pressure of Camp Nou.
Club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco are said to back Flick’s decision. Despite Fort’s promising performances under Xavi, the board agrees that a loan is the best path forward — especially with the Barcelona B team now relegated, making a return there less beneficial.
Even Yamal, who shares a long-standing friendship with Fort dating back to their youth team days, reportedly tried to intervene in support of his teammate. But the decision has already been finalized.
For now, Héctor Fort’s future lies away from Barcelona. Though he’s eager to stay and fight for his place, the club believes that stepping away temporarily could benefit him in the long run. The hope is that, with more experience and growth, Fort can return to Barça ready to compete at the highest level.
