Fulham ask about Barcelona defender Hector Fort as Alvaro Arbeloa pursues another Spanish recruit

Fulham have asked about the financial terms of a possible deal for Barcelona right-back Hector Fort, with manager Alvaro Arbeloa continuing an ambitious recruitment drive focused on young talent from Spanish football.

The interest in Fort is the latest development in a growing list of clubs considering a move for the 19-year-old, either on loan or through a permanent transfer. Everton remain interested, but Fulham have now emerged as a notable contender after Arbeloa instructed the club to assess the possibility of bringing the defender to the Premier League.

Fort is regarded as one of the players who could leave Barcelona this summer in search of regular first-team football, unless head coach Hansi Flick changes his current assessment of the player’s future.

The right-back spent last season on loan at Elche. After recovering from a serious injury, Fort produced a strong finish to the campaign and attracted interest from a number of clubs looking for defensive reinforcements.

According to Sport, Everton have not ended their pursuit, while Fulham’s interest has come from a familiar figure in Spanish football. Arbeloa, who previously worked at Real Madrid, is overseeing a substantial rebuild of the Fulham squad and has shown a clear willingness to look towards emerging players in La Liga.

Fulham’s latest approach follows the club’s announcement, only a few days ago, that they had signed Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid. Both players were identified as part of Arbeloa’s effort to add youthful Spanish talent to his squad.

The Fulham manager now wants to explore the possibility of adding one of Barcelona’s academy products to that group. The club are seeking a right-back, and Arbeloa has asked the Fulham hierarchy to establish the financial conditions required for a deal involving Fort.

Those discussions are understood to be aimed at determining whether a move to England is viable. The available information indicates that Fort is moving towards a permanent departure from Barcelona rather than another temporary transfer.

A fee of about 10m euros is being considered for the defender, although the final terms have not been established. The growing interest means Barcelona could soon face a decision over Fort’s future as clubs weigh up whether to make a formal offer.

For now, Everton remain in the picture, while Fulham have joined the race after Arbeloa made clear his interest in the Barcelona player. Fort’s next move is expected to depend on the playing opportunities available to him and the financial conditions of a permanent transfer.