Everton are showing serious intent by launching a €20 million bid for a Barcelona defender, testing the Catalan club’s willingness to sell.
As the summer transfer window enters its final stretch, FC Barcelona are accelerating efforts to streamline their senior squad and balance financial books ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco have taken decisive measures to resolve positional redundancies across the backline.
With La Masia continuing to produce top-tier talent, competition for starting positions has grown increasingly fierce.
The 20-year-old La Masia right-back at the heart of this potential cross-border deal is Héctor Fort, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Having spent last season on loan at Elche, the versatile defender returned to pre-season training hoping to secure a permanent place in Flick’s plans.
However, the emergence of fellow academy product Xavi Espart—who has surpassed Fort in Flick’s right-back hierarchy—has forced all parties to accept that a permanent departure is the most viable path forward.
Barcelona have set a valuation between €15 million and €20 million for Fort, explicitly ruling out another loan spell in favor of an outright sale.
Everton have emerged as the primary frontrunners to secure Fort’s signature, though Fulham and Liverpool have also registered tentative interest in the Spanish defender.
While domestic La Liga clubs have expressed admiration for the youngster’s technical ceiling, the €15–20 million price tag makes Premier League suitors the most realistic destination capable of satisfying Barcelona’s financial demands.
Fort himself is understood to be enthusiastic about testing his abilities in England’s top flight.
To protect their long-term interests, Barcelona’s hierarchy are working to structure the transaction with a high sell-on percentage or a repurchase option.
With Fort’s representatives actively negotiating personal terms, an agreement with Everton could progress swiftly in the coming days as all parties aim to complete the transfer before deadline day.
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