Elche shut the door on the young Barcelona player: we don't want him

Transfer market rumour

The transfer market is crowded with speculation and guesswork. Yet the management of one of the clubs newly returned to La Liga has chosen decisiveness over courtesy, killing off one of the stories that has circulated widely in recent days.

Elche unveiled 20-year-old midfielder Javi Mortxio, and at the press conference general manager Pedro Chinoca turned to the transfer files, foremost among them the talk of a return for right-back Héctor Fort.

Chinoca ruled it out flatly. Fort will not join for another season, whether on loan or through a permanent deal, and the GM dismissed the talk as "just one of the rumours of the transfer market".

The denial lands with Fort, aged 20 and on loan from Barcelona last season, still outside the Barça coaching staff's plans for 2026-2027. He is currently taking part in pre-season training under Hansi Flick.

According to Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", observers reckon the departure of coach Eder Sarabia has changed everything. Sarabia had shown Fort great faith during his previous spell. His exit slashed the chances of renewing the loan and shut the door on any return.