Barcelona parts ways with academy player

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Barcelona Rayo Vallecano

31/08/26 21:30:00

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Álvaro Cortés, 21-year-old center back from Barcelona, is on the verge of becoming a new player for Royal Antwerp. The deal is in its final stages, just a few days before the transfer window closes, after the academy player decided to seek playing time outside the Blaugrana club.

Information on the operation points to an imminent departure. Matteo Moretto revealed that Cortés has chosen a new experience to further his development, while Antwerp is working on signing a left-footed center back.

Álvaro Cortés leaves Barcelona in search of playing time

Cortés arrived at Barcelona in 2021, coming from the youth ranks of Real Zaragoza, and progressed to become the captain of Barça Atlètic. In the 2025/26 season, he played 28 games with the reserve team and scored 3 goals.

The academy player also made appearances with the first team during the previous season. He made his LaLiga debut on May 13, 2026, against Alavés, playing the full 90 minutes in that match.

His situation changed during this transfer window. Barcelona had renewed his contract in March 2026 until June 2028, with an option to extend it for an additional season, but competition in the center of the defense limited his chances of regular playing time.

Cortés had participated in part of the preseason with Hansi Flick's first team and even had a chance to stay with the Blaugrana squad. However, Barcelona's defensive planning and the search for another left-footed center back eventually altered that scenario.

Exclusive: Álvaro Cortés is on the verge of Royal Antwerp. Imminent departure. pic.twitter.com/4kRjIvbZpi

— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) August 27, 2026

Antwerp wins the race for Álvaro Cortés

Royal Antwerp emerges as Cortés' chosen destination after receiving interest from other clubs. Elche and Deportivo had also been among the alternatives for the defender, but the Belgian club's offer has now taken the lead.

The deal also aligns with a specific need of Antwerp: the club is looking to sign a left-footed center back, a profile that Cortés fits. The financial terms of the agreement have not been made public yet, so there is no confirmed transfer fee.

The defender currently has an estimated market value of around 4 million euros, according to recent references, and his contract with Barcelona runs until 2028. These details place the operation within a transfer scenario, although the final conditions have not yet been disclosed.

His departure marks a change in the academy player's trajectory, as during the preseason he had set his sights on competing for a place in the first team. The lack of space in the squad ultimately led Cortés to accept an opportunity to play in Belgium.

The next step will be to formalize the agreement and complete Álvaro Cortés' arrival at Antwerp before the transfer window closes. Barcelona will thus lose one of its center backs developed in La Masia, while the player will start a new chapter outside Spain at 21 years old.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Barcelona prescinde de un canterano