Hector Fort Set for Real Sociedad: Barcelona’s summer of squad trimming has claimed another name. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a full verbal agreement between Real Sociedad and Barcelona for right-back Hector Fort, with the “here we go” tag signaling the deal is now considered done in principle.
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Hector Fort Set for Real Sociedad: The Deal Structure
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Transfer fee | €8 million |
| Barcelona sell-on clause | 50% |
| Buy-back clause | Around €20 million |
| Player’s decision | Said yes to Real Sociedad |
The structure is a familiar one for Barcelona’s academy exits — a modest upfront fee, paired with mechanisms that let the club benefit significantly if Fort’s value rises at his new club, or bring him back outright if he develops into a starting-level player. For more on how Barcelona’s squad is being reshaped this summer, check our football transfer news.
From Dortmund Links to a Basque Country Switch
This move represents a genuine change of direction for the 20-year-old. Fort had reportedly turned down interest from both Real Sociedad and Roma just days earlier, holding out for a permanent move to Borussia Dortmund. That German deal has since stalled, opening the door for Sociedad to re-enter and, this time, successfully close the deal.
It’s a fortunate turn for Fort in one sense — at Dortmund, he would have had to compete directly with Julian Ryerson, a well-regarded first-choice option. At Sociedad, his rivals for the right-back spot are Jon Aramburu and Alvaro Odriozola, arguably a more winnable battle for regular minutes.
Why Barcelona Are Letting Him Go
Fort has been squarely out of Hansi Flick’s plans, spending last season on loan at Elche, where a promising start was disrupted by a shoulder injury that sidelined him for roughly four months. He finished the campaign with 17 appearances, three goals, and two assists — solid numbers, but not enough to force his way back into Barcelona’s first-team picture behind Jules Koundé.
According to Spanish reports, sporting director Deco is managing several simultaneous departures — including Fort, Alejandro Balde, and potentially Koundé himself — specifically to create wage-bill space under La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules, with an eye toward a future move for Julian Álvarez. For live squad and transfer updates straight from the club, check FC Barcelona’s official transfers page.
A Fresh Start in San Sebastián
Fort has been at Barcelona since 2013, progressing through La Masia and making his first-team debut in the 2023-24 season, but he’s never quite cemented a regular starting role. Joining Real Sociedad under head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo — who favours technically gifted, marauding fullbacks — could offer a tactical system genuinely suited to his playing style, something Dortmund may not have guaranteed.
What’s Next
With a verbal agreement in place and the player’s approval secured, the move now moves toward formalizing medical and contract details. Keep following our transfer window tracker for confirmation once the deal is officially completed.