La Liga club’s loan attempt for 18-year-old Barcelona full-back failed as player rejected move | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are navigating a demanding season, balancing their commitments across La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. With a packed schedule, even a tactician like Hansi Flick has been forced to rotate his squad.

Despite this, certain players have maintained a high level of involvement, with Jules Koundé being one of them. The Frenchman has accumulated significant minutes across multiple competitions.

While Koundé’s consistency in the lineup brings stability, it comes at a cost—young talents like Héctor Fort have struggled to gain playing time. This situation has not gone unnoticed, with Valencia CF reportedly attempting to capitalize on it.

Valencia’s Interest in Héctor Fort

According to SPORT, Valencia, who face Barcelona tonight in the Copa del Rey, expressed interest in securing Fort on loan during the winter transfer window.

Manager Carlos Corberán and the club’s sporting management have been actively seeking reinforcements to salvage a disastrous season, as they currently sit 19th in La Liga.

Given their limited resources, they have been scouting right-backs with experience at a reasonable cost—leading them to identify Fort as a potential signing.

Valencia even approached Barcelona with a loan request for the 18-year-old, but their proposal was swiftly rejected. Fort’s entourage made it clear that the youngster remains fully committed to Barcelona and has no intentions of considering other clubs, at least until the end of the current season.

Could a Summer Move Be on the Cards?

While Fort’s entourage shut the door on Valencia’s loan attempt in January, that does not necessarily mean the case is closed forever. The situation could shift in the summer, depending on various factors.

Valencia’s current right-back, Max Aarons, is only on loan until June 2025, and Barcelona are reportedly exploring the market, including potential interest in Crystal Palace’s right-back.

With squad rotation becoming more crucial in the latter stages of the season, Fort could see increased playing time.

However, whether he remains at Barcelona beyond the summer or looks for opportunities elsewhere remains to be seen. For now, the young defender’s future is an open question—one that will likely be addressed once the season concludes.