Barcelona’s next defensive move depends on Alvaro Cortes exit

Barcelona are working to complete Alvaro Cortes’s transfer to Belgian club Antwerp, with his departure potentially creating the room needed to sign a new centre-back before the transfer window closes.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, sporting director Deco has reactivated Barcelona’s search for defensive cover after temporarily putting the operation on hold while the club focused on a possible deal for Julian Alvarez. The failure to make significant progress on that transfer has led the Catalan club to reassess its priorities.

Cortes’s exit is now viewed as a key part of Barcelona’s plans. His departure would not simply reduce the size of Hansi Flick’s squad; it could also provide the space required for the club to bring in another central defender.

Barcelona are considering a number of options, including a young left-footed centre-back who would fit both the club’s current needs and Flick’s preferred profile for the position.

The club initially made Jorge Salinas its preferred defensive target at the start of the transfer window. However, Racing’s insistence that his €16m release clause be paid prevented Barcelona from completing the move. That prompted the club to widen its search and assess alternative candidates.

Several names have emerged in recent days, including Dutch defender Rod Nystad. Deco is continuing to examine the market for a promising left-footed centre-back who could strengthen the back line without disrupting the club’s wider plans.

Barcelona’s transfer activity is not limited to Cortes. Deco is also attempting to finalise the departures of Hector Fort, Marc Casado, Guille and Toni Fernandez. The four players are no longer part of Flick’s plans, and moving them on would help reduce the size of the squad while creating further room for late business.

The defensive recruitment operation had been placed behind the pursuit of Alvarez, who was Barcelona’s principal target this summer. That deal now appears close to impossible because Atletico Madrid remain unwilling to negotiate over the Argentina international.

Barcelona have not completely abandoned the possibility of signing Alvarez and intend to keep the door open until the end of the transfer window. Atletico’s firm position, however, means the Catalan club’s attention has increasingly shifted towards strengthening at centre-back.

The immediate focus is therefore on whether Cortes can complete his move to Antwerp. If that transfer is concluded, Barcelona would be in a stronger position to make a final attempt to add a new defender before the market closes.