Dortmund arrive in Barcelona for Héctor Fort. The transfer is getting closer
Borussia Dortmund are no longer monitoring Héctor Fort from a comfortable distance. Representatives of the German club have travelled to Barcelona to negotiate directly over the 20-year-old defender. According to “Mundo Deportivo”, the talks are now focused primarily on the financial structure of the operation.
Barcelona want a fixed fee of at least €10 million. The final price will depend on additional conditions, including a possible percentage of a future sale and a mechanism allowing the club to bring the player back. No agreement has been signed, but Dortmund’s decision to send officials to Barcelona shows that negotiations have entered a decisive phase.
Fort reportedly prefers a move to the Bundesliga. Real Sociedad and AS Roma have also shown interest, but Dortmund have long been regarded as the player’s preferred destination. The German club can offer him regular football and a development route they have used rather successfully with young players.
There is also room in the squad following Yan Couto’s loan move to Como. Sky Sport Deutschland previously reported that Fort was being considered as a possible replacement for the Brazilian. Initial talks took place in mid-August. Dortmund have now sent representatives to Barcelona, replacing exploratory phone calls with discussions about an actual payment.
Fort’s sporting situation gives him little reason to wait. After returning from his loan spell at Elche, he participated in Barcelona’s preseason and even scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly against CE Europa. He did not convince Hansi Flick, however, and was left out of the squad for the opening league match against Elche.
His absence was not caused by injury. Fort was omitted for technical reasons, as was Marc Casadó. Barcelona’s position on the right-back had already become clear: the club want a permanent transfer, while the player needs a team where he will not be waiting for an occasional absence from Jules Koundé or Eric García.
Fort joined La Masia in the 2013/14 season. He made his senior debut in December 2023, starting against Royal Antwerp in the Champions League. He went on to make more than 30 competitive first-team appearances before spending last season on loan at Elche.
Barcelona are therefore attempting to sell another academy graduate without completely surrendering control over his future. The club would like to receive the money now while preserving an opportunity to bring him back after somebody else provides the minutes and completes his development. Homegrown talent, outsourced finishing.
Dortmund understand that arrangement perfectly well, which is why the terms of a potential buy-back mechanism remain important. Reports differ over the total value of the transfer, but the most recent information places the guaranteed fee at no less than €10 million. Anything above that will depend on how much future control Barcelona retain.
There is no official agreement or announcement from either club yet. Fort does, however, appear much closer to Dortmund than to remaining at Barcelona. The Germans have arrived to negotiate the final conditions, the player wants the Bundesliga move and Flick left him out of his first squad of the season.
One club needs a right-back. The other needs another sale. Héctor Fort is standing directly between them, and even Barcelona should be capable of completing an operation this straightforward.
Sources: “Mundo Deportivo” – Dortmund representatives in Barcelona | Sky Sport Deutschland – Dortmund’s interest | FC Barcelona – Fort’s background and Elche loan
