Elche emerge as potential option for exit-bound Barcelona defender | OneFootball

Alvaro Cortes appears increasingly close to leaving Barcelona, with journalist Gerard Romero identifying Elche as one of the possible destinations for the young defender.

Cortes has decided to bring his time at the club to an end this summer after Barcelona’s plans to strengthen the left side of their defence changed his prospects of earning regular opportunities in the first team.

The academy graduate had hoped to remain at the club he has spent his career with and fight for his place in the senior squad. 

Instead, Barcelona’s decision to search for a specialist left-footed centre-back has altered the sporting picture around him.

His departure is now believed to be only a matter of time, with Elche emerging as one of the options available to him.

Barcelona’s defensive plans force Cortes out

Barcelona’s sporting management is working discreetly to bring in a left-footed specialist centre-back, a profile considered important to the club’s plans for strengthening Hansi Flick’s defensive structure.

Alvaro Cortes is set to leave Barcelona. (Picture credit: Instagram/@alvaarocortes)

The search for an external signing has had a direct impact on Cortes.

The young defender made his first-team debut against Deportivo Alaves last season and had entered the current campaign hoping to build on that experience. 

During pre-season, he made clear that his priority was to remain at Barcelona and compete for a place in the squad.

However, the prospect of a new player arriving to compete directly for his position has forced a rethink.

Cortes is understood to have recognised that his path to meaningful minutes would become even more difficult, prompting him to make the painful decision to look for a move away from Barcelona.

Elche among options as Barcelona exit approaches

Elche could be an option for Alvaro Cortes. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/alvaarocortes)

According to Gerard Romero, Elche are one of the clubs in the picture as Cortes assesses his next destination.

A move to Elche could offer the defender an opportunity to take an important step in his development and pursue the regular first-team football that is becoming difficult to find at Barcelona.

For now, no final destination has been confirmed yet, but the situation is moving quickly. 

Cortes’s departure is close, and his decision is expected to be communicated imminently.

In fact, the defender could also be left out of Barcelona’s squad for Thursday’s match against Athletic Club at the Spotify Camp Nou.