West Ham target Barcelona duo as Hector Fort emerges as loan option
West Ham are in advanced talks to sign Barcelona full-back Hector Fort on a season-long loan, as the Premier League side step up efforts to strengthen before the transfer deadline.
According to Sport, the 19-year-old has been granted permission to finalise a move and was absent from training on Friday ahead of Barça’s clash with Levante. A deal is reportedly close and could be completed next week.
The Hammers initially prioritised a move for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado but failed to convince him to make the switch. Head coach Hansi Flick confirmed Casado’s reluctance to leave, stating: “I’ve spoken to him. He doesn’t want to leave, and I don’t want him to. We need all the players this season.”
Fort, meanwhile, is open to the move after struggling for game time at Camp Nou. Promoted to the first-team squad last season, he was mainly used as cover at right-back following Joao Cancelo’s departure, with Jules Kounde often preferred.
Barcelona are accelerating exits in order to ease their wage bill and register new signings. While West Ham are leading the race for Fort, they face competition from Everton, as well as interest from Mallorca in Spain and Como in Italy.
