Everton Lead Race For €15m 20-Year-Old Barcelona Defender: What Could Be The Best Terms For The Toffees? | OneFootball

Diario Sport, as reported by Sport Witness, says Everton, Liverpool and Fulham have entered the race for Barcelona right-back Héctor Fort. Inter Milan had considered the Spain U20 international, yet their interest has cooled after Djed Spence arrived from Tottenham. That leaves three Premier League clubs in contention, with Everton holding the strongest position because Barcelona believe the Merseyside club can put forward the most attractive proposal.

Everton face competition for 20-year-old Barcelona right-back

Fort, aged 20, had hoped to stay at the Camp Nou, but his situation has changed. Reports say Hansi Flick has left him outside his plans, and the defender has been training separately from the main group. Barcelona want a permanent transfer this summer rather than another loan, while the Catalan club want a significant future sell-on percentage.

Fort spent 2025/26 on loan at Elche, where La Liga records credit him with 14 appearances, 482 minutes, two goals and two assists. He scored once in three Copa del Rey matches, taking his season total to three goals.

T4O take: Everton should push for a protected deal

UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 08: Hector Fort of Barcelona looks on during the Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup match between Udinese and Barcelona at Bluenergy Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

The need at right-back is obvious, but desperation should never dictate the fee. Jake O’Brien covered the position during pre-season, including Everton’s 3-1 defeat at Stuttgart, while the club have searched for a specialist option. Andy Burnham has urged the club to solve the problem. That pressure doesn’t make a €15m-€20m upfront payment sensible.

Fort has some positive traits. He came through La Masia, has Barcelona experience and showed attacking value at Elche, where he produced two league goals and two assists. Yet that workload matters. Everton would buy potential, not a proven Premier League starter.

Everton can use Barcelona’s urgency

A €10m starting fee with demanding add-ons makes more sense. Barcelona want a permanent exit, and that creates room for negotiation because Everton can offer cash while protecting themselves from a poor-value gamble. A buy-back clause would give Barcelona control over Fort’s future, while a 20% sell-on percentage could sweeten the deal without forcing Everton to overpay today.

That structure matters for a club entering a new stadium era with scrutiny. Fort could develop into a useful long-term right-back if his Elche attacking output translates to England. Still, paying €20m before he proves he can handle Premier League defending would be a needless punt. Everton should make the position a priority, make the player a target, then make Barcelona accept the risk alongside them. That is the sensible balance between need and valuation.