Borussia Dortmund Leading Race for Hector Fort

Borussia Dortmund have moved to the front of the queue for Hector Fort, with the Bundesliga club now seen as leading the race for the Barcelona right-back.

Spanish transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, who only days ago spoke of a general Dortmund interest on Radio Marca, now reports that BVB have stepped into pole position. The interest around Fort is real and growing, with Premier League clubs also tracking the 20-year-old, but Dortmund are currently pushing hardest. Initial talks have already taken place.

Right flank wide open

The need in Dortmund is obvious. Yan Couto has left for Como 1907 on loan, with the Serie A side securing a €20 million option to buy the Brazilian. That departure has blown a sizeable hole in Niko Kovac’s right side.

At present, Julian Ryerson is the only natural right-back in the squad. Waldemar Anton, Filippo Mane and left-back Daniel Svensson can all shuffle across if required, but those are emergency solutions, not long-term answers. If Kovac sticks with his preferred back three or back five, Dortmund need a specialist on that flank. Fort fits the profile.

The numbers: fee, clauses, and options

Barcelona’s asking price is clear enough. A straight transfer for Fort would probably come in at around €20 million. There is, however, another structure on the table: a deal worth about €10 million, tied to a hefty 50% sell-on clause for the Blaugrana.

A loan with an option to buy is also being discussed and has not been ruled out. Even so, the latest signals suggest a permanent move is very much on the cards, despite the Catalans’ conditions.

The reason? Dortmund suddenly have room to manoeuvre. The collapse of the Said El Mala transfer has freed up around €50 million that had been earmarked for the 1. FC Köln attacker. That money can now be redistributed to strengthen several areas of the squad.

Giannis Konstantelias of PAOK Saloniki is viewed as the leading alternative to El Mala. The Greek playmaker is reportedly available for around €25 million. Even if BVB decide to go down that route, they would still have enough financial firepower left to make a serious push for Fort.

A talent, but still unproven

For all the excitement, Fort remains a gamble at the elite level. His senior experience is limited. After only brief outings for Barcelona, he spent last season on loan at Elche CF, where the stage was set for regular minutes and a proper breakthrough.

It never fully arrived. Against weaker opposition than he would face in the Bundesliga or Champions League, Fort struggled to nail down an undisputed starting role. He finished the campaign with just over 600 minutes across 17 appearances.

Within that small sample, there were flashes. Three goals and two assists underline his attacking threat from deep, hinting at the kind of modern full-back Dortmund like to develop. But it is still a highlight reel, not yet a full body of work.

So BVB stand at a familiar crossroads: double down on a raw, high-upside talent, or search for a more established name. With the right flank exposed and money unexpectedly available, the decision on Hector Fort will say plenty about how boldly Dortmund intend to shape this squad for the seasons ahead.