Everton's persistent search for a right-back, a concern that has spanned three years, is reaching a critical juncture as the transfer window approaches its conclusion. Initial hopes centered on Alistair Johnston have diminished due to his club's valuation demands and a fresh injury setback. Consequently, Everton's focus has shifted to Barcelona's promising young talent, Hector Fort, while links to Crystal Palace's Daniel Muñoz also continue to circulate.
Hector Fort, a 20-year-old Spanish defender, is a product of Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy, making his senior debut in December 2023. Standing at 185 cm, his physical presence and exceptional technical abilities make him a modern, versatile full-back. He excels in various roles, including right-back, wing-back, and even on the left side of defense. Fort's game is characterized by high passing accuracy, composure, and tactical intelligence, traits cultivated during his time at La Masia, enabling him to consistently make sound decisions in demanding situations.
During the 2025–26 season, Fort embarked on a season-long loan to Elche CF to gain valuable first-team experience. This move, a straight loan without a purchase option, aimed to accelerate his development away from Camp Nou. Despite limited appearances (14 league matches, 482 minutes), he demonstrated significant attacking potential, contributing two goals and two assists. However, his momentum was interrupted by a shoulder injury requiring surgery, sidelining him for a substantial period before his return to Barcelona this summer. His positional heatmaps from both Elche and Barcelona highlight his high-volume activity as a right full-back, balancing defensive duties with aggressive attacking runs. He frequently inverted into central midfield zones, a tactic reflecting his La Masia training, to facilitate ball progression and create numerical advantages. His strong presence in the opposition's final third, marked by overlapping runs and crosses, directly contributed to his offensive output of seven shots, five on target, two goals, and two assists during the campaign.
Hector Fort's estimated market value stands at £10.25 million, a notable increase from his previous valuation of £6.4 million. This upward trend underscores his progress and his long-term contract with FC Barcelona, which extends until June 2029. His current annual salary is approximately £850,000, or £17,000 weekly, with potential earnings reaching £3,000,000 including bonuses. For Everton, a potential contract would offer a more lucrative salary while remaining within their financial framework. With manager Hansi Flick at Barcelona valuing tactical flexibility, Fort's ability to cover both defensive flanks is a significant asset. However, with Jules Koundé firmly established as the starting right-back, Barcelona is reportedly open to selling Fort. Everton and Fulham have expressed interest, suggesting that acquiring the player would be financially feasible. For Everton, the question remains whether Fort would serve as an understudy or challenge for a starting role, especially given David Moyes's historical reluctance to heavily rely on younger players. Nevertheless, his versatility aligns with Moyes's preferences, making him a valuable option to bolster the team's defensive depth and potentially emerge as a key player. This potential transfer echoes past successful moves between the two clubs, including those involving Gary Lineker, Gerard Deulofeu, André Gomes, and Lucas Digne, hinting at another promising addition to the Everton squad.
