Barcelona youngster rejects transfer distractions to fight for Hansi Flick’s trust – report
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While several European clubs are monitoring his situation, Barcelona defender Hector Fort has made his priorities clear ahead of the new season.
The academy talent is fully focused on earning a place in Hansi Flick’s squad and has decided to put all transfer discussions on hold until he gets an opportunity to prove himself during preseason.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to Roger Torello of Mundo Deportivo, the young full-back has attracted interest from some of Europe’s most respected clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite those opportunities, though, Fort’s objective is to convince Flick that he deserves a role at Barcelona.
Ready for a decisive pre-season
After spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Elche, the defender now faces what could be the most important summer of his career.
Fort has been included in the group selected by Flick to begin pre-season preparations on July 13, giving him a valuable opportunity to showcase his progress directly to the German coach.
The defender is expected to participate throughout Barcelona’s summer preparations, including the training camp scheduled to take place at St George’s Park in England between July 27 and August 3.
Hector Fort wants to impress Hansi Flick. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
With many international players returning later due to their commitments at the World Cup, several academy graduates and returning loanees will have an opportunity to impress.
For Fort, this period could determine whether he remains at Barcelona for the upcoming campaign or seeks further development elsewhere.
With the final decision resting on Flick’s shoulders, the homegrown defender will want to make the most of the opportunity.
Competition for places at Barcelona
Despite his determination, it must be noted that breaking into Barcelona’s first-team squad will not be straightforward for Fort.
The right-back position is already well covered, with Jules Kounde expected to remain the first-choice option.
Eric Garcia has also proven capable of operating in the role, while Ronald Araujo provides another alternative when tactical adjustments are needed.
In addition, highly-rated academy prospect Xavi Espart is also competing for opportunities within the same position, increasing the level of competition even further.
Fort will do the pre-season under Flick. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
AdvertisementAdvertisementNevertheless, Fort has no intention of giving up without a fight.
In fact, his ambition is not just to be part of the squad but to establish himself at the club he supported throughout his life.
Significant interest
Interestingly, if Flick ultimately decides that regular first-team opportunities will be difficult to guarantee, Fort is unlikely to struggle for alternatives.
On that note, Inter Milan have maintained their interest since last season and continue to monitor developments.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are also keeping a close watch on the situation in Germany.
However, rather than rushing towards an exit, Fort wants his future to be decided by what happens on the pitch during pre-season, and only after receiving Flick’s verdict will he consider other possibilities.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
