Borussia Dortmund is in talks with Barcelona over a transfer for young defender Hector Fort. The negotiations centre on the structure of a potential deal, which could involve a fee of around ten million euros.
The Catalans had initially been looking for a figure between 15 and 20 million euros for the 18-year-old. Another option under discussion would see Barcelona retain a certain percentage of the player's future transfer rights as well as a buyback clause. The value of that clause could reach around 50 million euros.
Fort to compete with Ryerson
Fort has reportedly decided on a move to the Bundesliga, turning down other offers from across Europe in favour of joining Borussia Dortmund. The club is keen to add depth to the full-back positions after a season-opening defeat to Bayern Munich in the DFL-Supercup (0:2) exposed a lack of quality alternatives.
The young Spaniard is expected to provide competition for Julian Ryerson at right-back. While Ryerson is known for his gritty defending and dangerous crossing, Fort could offer more technical security and quality in build-up play. These attributes would fit well with the technically adept players in Dortmund's squad.
Club officials have sent representatives to Barcelona to finalise the details of the deal. An agreement is expected in the coming days. A swift conclusion is desirable for this season's squad planning, as a look at the upcoming fixtures shows.
Whether Fort can make the leap from Barcelona's youth setup to Dortmund's starting eleven is not guaranteed. In the past, young talents from the Camp Nou like Mateu Morey or Sergio Gómez have struggled to establish themselves with the Black and Yellows. The Spaniard would sign a long-term contract lasting several years. Borussia Dortmund's next competitive matches are already scheduled for this weekend.
