FC Barcelona v Al Ahly SC - Joan Gamper Trophy
Alvaro Cortes centre-back of Barcelona and Spain during the Joan Gamper Trophy between FC Barcelona and Al Ahly SC at Spotify Camp Nou on August 19, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Alvaro Cortes has left Barcelona for Royal Antwerp and the transfer is set to be officially confirmed very shortly.
According to Jijantes, the defender has moved in a deal that will earn Barcelona a little over €3 million after deciding his time at the club was up.
Cortes had been with the first-team in pre-season, and looked set to stay for the 2026-27 campaign, but has had a change of heart in the final week of the transfer window and opted for a new challenge instead.
Meanwhile, there are still conflicting reports flying about regarding whether Barcelona will sign another defender before the window closes.
Hansi Flick currently has Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Andreas Christensen as his center-back choices, although both Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde can also play in the middle.
The Barca boss said before the win over Athletic Club that he’s happy with his defensive options and has seen his side keep two clean sheets in their opening two La Liga games.