Barcelona academy defender attracting interest from Spain and abroad – report | OneFootball

Barcelona youngster Hector Fort is approaching what could be the most important pre-season of his career as he returns to the club determined to earn a permanent place under Hansi Flick.

After spending last season on loan at Elche, the academy graduate is back at Ciutat Esportiva with renewed confidence and valuable first-team experience behind him. 

While his future remains undecided, the right-back is expected to be given an opportunity to impress during pre-season before Barcelona make a final call on his role for the upcoming campaign.

According to AS, interest in the defender is already growing, with several clubs from Spain and abroad monitoring his situation closely.

Fort returns with a point to prove

The 19-year-old heads into pre-season knowing that this could be his best chance yet to establish himself at Barcelona.

His loan spell at Elche appears to have had the desired effect, as regular minutes helped him grow both physically and tactically, while also exposing him to the demands of senior football week after week.

Those experiences have left Fort feeling ready for a higher level.

Barcelona’s pre-season preparations begin on July 13, and the defender will arrive with an objective to convince Flick that he deserves to remain with the first team.

The coaching staff is expected to closely evaluate several young players during the summer, and Fort will be among the names hoping to take advantage of that opportunity.

Fierce competition at right-back

While Fort’s confidence is high, breaking into Barcelona’s senior squad will be anything but straightforward.

This is because the right-back position is one of the most competitive areas of the team, as Jules Kounde remains the first-choice option, while Eric Garcia has also demonstrated his ability to operate in that role when required.

Last season, Flick also looked towards the academy on occasion, giving opportunities to Xavi Espart when squad circumstances demanded it.

That means Fort will have to prove he can offer something different while also showing he is ready to compete at the highest level.

Fortunately for the defender, pre-season should provide him with valuable minutes to make his case. 

The plan with Fort is that if he impresses, he could secure a place within Flick’s plans for the new season. If not, another temporary move may become the preferred solution, with several teams already monitoring him.