Barcelona academy gem determined to stay and fight for his place under Flick despite strong interest

Barcelona academy gem determined to stay and fight for his place under Flick despite strong interest Hector Fort has no plans to walk away from Barcelona this summer despite facing fierce competition for a place at right-back.  According to SPORT , the La Masia graduate is fully focused on convincing Hansi Flick during pre-season that he deserves to remain part of the first-team project. The latest Barcelona news suggests several clubs have been keeping a close watch on the defender’s situation, but Fort is not thinking about a transfer.  Instead, he wants to use the coming weeks to influence his Barcelona future on the pitch rather than through negotiations. With Flick expected to closely evaluate every player before making decisions on the squad, the defender believes this is the ideal opportunity to prove he is ready to establish himself in the senior team. Pre-season could define Fort’s future at Barcelona Fort spent the previous season on loan at Elche. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Fort returned to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper earlier this week, where he resumed individual work in the gym as preparations for the new campaign gathered pace. As per the outlet, those close to the defender understand that the upcoming Barcelona pre-season could determine whether he remains at the club for the 2026/27 season.  For now, rather than exploring transfer options, Fort wants to show Flick that he can compete for minutes despite the depth Barcelona already possess at right-back. On that note, the challenge will not be easy, as the competition for Barcelona’s right-back position has increased considerably, with Jules Kounde being the starter, while Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo are also capable of playing there. Elche spell has given Fort fresh confidence One of the biggest reasons behind Fort’s confidence is the progress he made during his loan spell at Elche last season. Fort feels he can impress Hansi Flick. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) That experience accelerated both his footballing and personal development, giving him the maturity required to compete for a place at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.  Now, he feels he is ready to fight for a role in Flick’s squad instead of seeking another temporary move. As another Barcelona academy graduate, Fort knows opportunities are earned through performances, particularly during pre-season when coaching staff assess every player on equal terms. Only after those assessments are complete will the defender sit down with Barcelona to evaluate what comes next, whether that means staying with the first team or exploring another option that supports his development.