Hansi Flick is still shaping his project for FC Barcelona, and one of his main priorities is to strengthen the full-back positions. The German coach believes that, in order to compete at the highest level, the squad needs reliable alternatives for both Koundé and Balde. Flick's demand is clear: he is looking for footballers with discipline, versatility, and the ability to keep the level in high-intensity matches.
Since his arrival, he has conveyed that talent alone is not enough. For the new Barça, every player must meet high standards of professionalism and commitment. In this context, the sporting management has sped up moves in the market, aiming to find reinforcements that will allow for a more solid and versatile defense next season.
Drastic turn of events
Flick's plan has coincided with a new episode of indiscipline within the squad. Héctor Fort, one of the young prospects from the academy, arrived late to the medical tests on the first day of preseason. The delay, although slight, was enough for the German coach to decide to remove him from his plans.
Given this situation, everything seems to indicate that Barça has decided to speed up the operation to bring Alejandro Grimaldo back. The Bayer Leverkusen full-back has just completed an excellent season in Germany, where he established himself as one of the best in the Bundesliga. His return to Camp Nou would allow Flick to add quality and reliability in a key position, while Fort is set to leave.
Exit options
Héctor Fort's future is becoming more complicated: despite his talent, the club understands that right now he has no place in the first team. At just 17 years old, his repeated disciplinary issues have reduced his margin of trust. Both Girona and Mallorca have shown interest in signing him, either through a loan or a transfer with a buy-back option.
The message from the Barça locker room is clear: in the new Barça, talent without professionalism has no place. Hansi Flick wants a competitive and committed group, and the board fully supports this vision. With Grimaldo as a priority reinforcement and Fort on his way out, the club makes it clear that discipline will be the foundation of the project.