Fulham are exploring a potential €10 million move for Barcelona full-back Héctor Fort. The London club’s interest follows a specific request by manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who has asked the Craven Cottage hierarchy to examine the feasibility of signing the versatile defender.
Spanish publication Diario Sport reports that Barcelona would sanction a permanent departure should Fulham meet the €10 million valuation. Fort, who operates comfortably on either flank, recently rejoined Barcelona following a loan spell at Elche.
Arbeloa’s Spanish recruitment drive
The approach fits a clear pattern in Arbeloa’s early tenure at Fulham. The manager has already secured deals for Gonzalo García and César Palacios from his former club Real Madrid this summer, and Fort would represent another young Spanish addition to the squad.
Arbeloa departed the Santiago Bernabéu to take charge at Fulham and has quickly turned to the Spanish market to reshape his defensive options. Fort’s ability to cover both left-back and right-back positions offers the flexibility that would appeal to a manager building a new-look backline.
Barcelona stance and player status
Fort returned to Barcelona this summer after gaining experience with Elche, but he faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club. Barcelona are reportedly willing to allow the defender to leave permanently if an acceptable offer arrives.
While the deal remains in the exploratory phase, the €10 million price tag appears within reach for Premier League sides. Fulham’s examination of the transfer suggests concrete interest, though negotiations have not yet reached an advanced stage.