Everton “strongest option” for Barcelona defender as exit talks step up
Another one. A right-back that is.
Everton have reportedly emerged as favourites to sign Barcelona full-back Hector Fort, with the 20-year-old’s camp keen to get a move away from the Nou Camp completed soon.
According to Fabrizio Romano collaborator Bonan German, cited by BarcaTimes, both Barcelona and Fort want his exit wrapped up in the near future.
The report claims Everton are currently viewed as the strongest option among a group of suitors that also includes Fulham, Inter Milan and Liverpool, following Fort’s loan spell at Elche last season.
Barcelona are said to be pushing for a permanent sale while looking to retain a percentage of any future transfer fee — but treat the specifics of that structure as provisional until it’s confirmed elsewhere.
It builds on reporting from TEAMtalk earlier this week, which first named Everton and Fulham as the two Premier League clubs most heavily linked with Fort after Barcelona gave him the green light to leave.
Liverpool’s interest looks to have cooled somewhat since agreeing a loan deal for Ronald Araujo, another Barcelona defender.
Fort, a right-back by trade who can also play at left-back and centre-back, made 30 appearances for Barcelona’s first team before his season-long loan at Elche, where he contributed four goals and assists combined despite a mid-season shoulder injury.
With Seamus Coleman having left the club and David Moyes still hunting a right-back before the window shuts, Fort’s versatility is the obvious appeal.
Everton have yet to make an official move, and nothing here should be read as close to done. We’ll have more as it develops — follow it on our live transfer tracker.
Gary is editor for ReadEverton. He has many years experience of sports writing behind him after deciding (belatedly) that the world of accountancy wasn't for him. His work has been featured on (among many others) BBC Sport and The Metro. He has written on many sports, but considers himself an expert in football and F1. When not writing and editing he likes to go to the cinema and sip a lovely cold pint of Guinness (not always at the same time).
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