Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made it clear to one of the club’s young talents that he does not figure into his plans for the upcoming season. The player has been urged to find a new club quickly if he has any uncertainties about his future, as Flick does not intend to offer him any playing time. Should he choose to remain at Barcelona, he faces the prospect of being relegated to the bench, with fierce competition in his position limiting his opportunities.
According to El Nacional, this stance isn’t surprising given Héctor Fort’s minimal involvement last season. The young right-back only featured when absolutely necessary, typically in low-stakes matches. Jules Koundé dominated the role, only stepping aside due to suspensions or rare rest periods.
Even when Koundé was injured, Flick showed a preference for alternatives like Eric García and Ronald Araújo over giving Fort a chance. This indicates that the German coach doesn’t currently view the 18-year-old La Masia product as a key prospect, in contrast to the trust he’s placed in other young players.
As a result, Flick has advised Fort to seek a loan move to gain valuable experience and playing time elsewhere — something Barcelona can’t provide at the moment. This has led to interest from multiple La Liga clubs willing to offer him regular minutes.
Club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco both agree that a temporary move would benefit Fort’s development. However, the young defender is determined to stay and fight for his place at Barcelona, despite Flick reiterating the challenging path ahead if he refuses to leave.
