Barcelona agree to sell defender to Belgian side | OneFootball

Barcelona are set for a busy end to the summer transfer window, both in terms of signings and departures. In the last 24 hours, they have agreed to sell Hector Fort to Real Sociedad, and following him out of the Spotify Camp Nou exit door will be fellow La Masia graduate Alvaro Cortes.

Earlier this week, it was heavily reported that Cortes had made the decision to leave Barcelona before the transfer window, having seen his pathway to the first team blocked. This alerted a whole host of clubs to his situation, both from in Spain and across Europe, but one has managed to beat off the rest for his signature.

As reported by Matteo Moretto, Cortes is close to signing for Royal Antwerp. The Belgian club are in the process of agreeing a transfer with Barcelona, who will retain control over the 21-year-old’s future by the way of a sell-on clause and buy-back option, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Cortes sale makes sense for all parties

While it is not yet clear how much Barcelona will receive for the sale of Cortes, it is a move that makes a lot of sense. He should get plenty of chances to start in the Pro League, and if his development goes well, it would open the door for a big-money move to a major league – or a return to the Spotify Camp Nou, should the Catalan club see fit.

Cortes has been left out of Barcelona’s squad to face Athletic Club in Thursday’s second match of the 2026-27 La Liga season, which indicates that a deal is close to being done. Sporting director Deco is already working on a replacement, with it made clear by head coach Hansi Flick that another option will be required, given that Ronald Araujo also left earlier in the summer for Liverpool.