Fulham enter race to sign Barcelona full-back Hector Fort

Fulham have joined the race to sign Barcelona right-back Hector Fort after manager Alvaro Arbeloa asked the club to investigate the financial terms of a potential deal, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Arbeloa is keen to strengthen the right-back position as he continues to reshape the Fulham squad during the current summer transfer window. The Premier League club’s interest in Fort is part of a wider recruitment approach by the Spanish manager, who has already relied on several young talents from Spain.

Fort is currently training with Barcelona under Hansi Flick, but he is regarded as one of the leading candidates to leave the club in search of more regular first-team football. That possibility is expected to become clearer once Barcelona’s international players complete their return to training in the coming days.

The 19-year-old spent last season on loan at Elche, where he recovered from a serious injury and finished the campaign strongly. He made 17 appearances for Elche, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

Barcelona are continuing to resolve the futures of players who may depart the first team this summer. The situation at right-back is becoming increasingly crowded, with Jules Kounde remaining at the club and Joao Cancelo expected to return after Barcelona reached a final agreement with Al Hilal.

That competition for places could make it difficult for Fort to secure a significant role at Barcelona. The club also wants to generate income from the departures of academy graduates who do not have a realistic opportunity to establish themselves in the first team.

Barcelona value Fort at about 10m euros. If Fulham turn their interest into a formal offer, they could become one of the defender’s leading possible destinations in the coming period.

Fort’s potential move would fit with Arbeloa’s efforts to rebuild the Fulham squad around emerging talent from the Spanish game. Among the young players used by the manager are Real Madrid pair Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios.

For now, Fort remains with Barcelona as preparations continue under Flick. However, with the club assessing its options for the first-team squad, Fulham’s reported enquiry could develop into a significant opportunity for the defender to secure a larger role elsewhere.

The interest follows a productive loan spell at Elche for Fort, who ended the previous season in good form after overcoming his injury. His three goals and two assists in 17 appearances have strengthened his case for a move that would provide him with more regular playing time.