Deportivo look to sign Alvaro Cortes

Real Club Deportivo de la Coruña

Cortes' name has entered the Herculean agenda at a key moment in the transfer window. According to the information cited by @Aaronvalden77, the Deportivo have shown an interest in the Barça Atlètic defender, whose contract with the Blaugrana club runs out on June 30, 2026.

This contractual situation opens up an attractive possibility for the Galician side, which would only have to cover the player's wages. With a plan that includes close to ten new signings, avoiding a transfer cost would allow them to keep financial room for other positions.

A left-footed centre-back developed at La Masia

Álvaro Cortés was born in Zaragoza on March 17, 2005, is 21 years old and stands 1.89 metres tall. He primarily plays with his left foot and has developed his entire youth career at Barcelona, before moving up to the B team.

At Barça Atlètic, he has competed in Segunda Federación, a category that is especially useful for young centre-backs due to the physical demands placed on many forwards. His progress also led him to be called up during this season to the Spain Under-20 squad.

Within the Blaugrana club, he is seen as part of a group with potential, although he has yet to earn a stable place in the first team. He is also among the winners of LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup in the 2024/25 season, despite not having had a starring role.

The final decision rests with Flick. The coach must assess whether he wants to keep a close eye on him, include him in pre-season preparations, or give him some opportunities within the first-team squad. If he believes Cortés will not get minutes, the exit would gain momentum.

Fernando Soriano is looking to bring in two centre-backs during the summer window. The sporting director wants youth, good ball-carrying and players with training at major academies, traits that fit Cortés' profile. His left-footedness also adds a less common feature in the market.

The Galician club does not want to leave it too long. Their return to LaLiga means they need to speed up the building of a competitive squad from the start of pre-season, and Cortés could find in A Coruña minutes, responsibility and a chance in the top flight if Flick confirms he is not counting on him.