Deco & Laporta stick to their word in rejecting €35m Barcelona defender offer

The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona recently rebuffed a big-money bid for one of the club’s rising young stars.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who have this week provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.

The subject of potential summer sales has of course long dominated the headlines at Barcelona, amid widespread reports that the Blaugrana are preparing to part with a number of high-profile players with a view to next season.

As much comes amid the club’s widely-publicised monetary woes, struggles which could be aided significantly by way of a cash injection on the transfer front.

And yet, despite rumours of interest from across the continent in a whole host of members of Xavi’s squad, both Barcelona president Joan Laporta, and sporting director Deco, have remained adamant when drawn on the subject that they do not intend to sanction any major exits this summer.

And such a stance certainly appears to align with the info detailed in the aforementioned report on the part of MD.

The brass at the Camp Nou, it is understood, recently knocked back an offer worth a considerable €35 million, for youngster Héctor Fort.

Fort, for his part, has enjoyed an impressive emergence onto the first-team scene in Barcelona this season, looking like another potential La Masia gem on his way to seven appearances across all competitions.

The defender, still just 17, can line out at either right or left-back, with his exploits in the latter role against Atlético Madrid two weekends ago having turned heads across Spain.

In turn, Deco and co. did not need to think twice in rejecting the proposal for his signature, ready to tie Fort down to a new long-term contract upon the starlet turning 18 later this year.

Conor Laird | GSFN