Liverpool have reportedly joined the clubs interested in Héctor Fort, with the Barcelona defender emerging as another potential target for the Reds this summer.
According to Sport, Liverpool are among the clubs keeping an eye on the 20-year-old, who is attracting interest from several clubs as his future at Barcelona remains uncertain.
Fort spent last season on loan at Elche and has already made appearances for Barcelona’s first team.
Another option for Liverpool’s defence
Fort is primarily a right-back, although his versatility allows him to operate on the opposite side as well.
That could make him an interesting option for Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool have already made significant changes to their defensive department this summer, with Ronald Araújo, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni all part of the new-look group.
But there is still a need for competition and long-term planning at full-back.
Jeremie Frimpong is adapting to a new role, while Conor Bradley has had his own fitness problems.
Fort could therefore provide another young, technically gifted option.
Why would Liverpool be interested?
At just 20, Fort fits the profile of player Liverpool could see as a long-term investment.
He has been developed through Barcelona’s famous academy and has already experienced first-team football despite his young age.
His loan spell at Elche also gave him valuable experience away from Camp Nou.
For Liverpool, that combination of youth and senior experience could be particularly attractive.
Rather than signing another established veteran, the Reds could bring in a player with plenty of development still ahead of him.
There is competition
Liverpool aren’t the only club reportedly interested.
Everton and Fulham have also been linked with Fort, while Inter Milan and Elche have been mentioned among the other clubs monitoring his situation.
Reports have suggested Barcelona are open to Fort leaving this summer, with a permanent move appearing to be a possibility.
That could make this one to watch as the transfer window enters its final stages.
Could Fort fit Iraola’s Liverpool?
That’s what makes the rumour interesting.
Iraola is expected to demand plenty from his full-backs.
They need to be able to provide width, contribute to attacks and have the athleticism to recover when Liverpool lose possession.
Fort has the opportunity to develop into exactly that type of player.
He wouldn’t necessarily arrive as an automatic starter.
Instead, he could be brought into the squad gradually while competing with Frimpong and Bradley.
And if he develops as Liverpool hope, he could eventually become a major player.
Another young defender for Liverpool’s new era?
Liverpool’s defensive rebuild is becoming one of the most fascinating aspects of Iraola’s new era.
Araújo brings experience.
Van Dijk provides leadership.
Jacquet and Leoni represent the future.
And now Héctor Fort has reportedly emerged as another potential target.
There is still a long way to go before Liverpool could turn interest into an actual deal, and Everton currently appear to be among the strongest contenders for his signature.
But if Liverpool are looking for another young, versatile full-back with significant development potential, Fort could be a very interesting name to keep an eye on.
Could Héctor Fort be the next young defender to arrive at Anfield?
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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