How Barcelona got early insight into Roony Bardghji’s potential before rest of Europe took notice | OneFootball

Barcelona have successfully secured the signing of highly-rated Swedish winger Roony Bardghji from FC Copenhagen for a fee of €2 million.

While the deal is not officially confirmed yet, both clubs have already acknowledged that the final hurdle is just the medical examination. Once that is completed, the young talent will become a Barcelona player.

The Danish club has publicly admitted negotiations are nearly complete, and the player’s arrival at Barça is expected to be formalised in the coming days.

For the Catalan side, this move marks the conclusion of a long-term scouting process that began nearly two years ago.

When did Barcelona notice Bardghji

According to SPORT, Barça had been keeping close tabs on Bardghji since 2022, when his name first appeared in their youth department’s scouting files.

At the time, he was seen as a promising prospect progressing swiftly through Copenhagen’s youth system.

By March 2023, Barcelona scouts had listed Bardghji alongside Hugo Larsson as the standout Swedish names to watch during a youth showcase hosted in Murcia.

Barcelona have secured Roony Bardghji from FC Copenhagen. (Photo by LISELOTTE SABROE/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

In a U21 friendly between Sweden and Scotland, Bardghji stood out with his speed, dribbling, and left-footed flair on the right wing.

The teenager demonstrated the qualities of a classic Barça-style winger, one who excels in one-on-one situations and opens up games with raw pace and skill.

As the months passed, the Swedish youngster transitioned from being a future project to a top-tier youth target.

Barça remained in contact with his representatives, keen to track every step of his development. However, the transfer journey was not without complications.

Injury setback and Deco’s intervention

In early 2024, just as interest in Bardghji was peaking across Europe, the winger suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The setback sidelined him for nearly a year, and many clubs, including Barcelona, hesitated. Despite this, Bardghji’s agents pushed hard for a formal commitment. With top clubs circling, Barça risked missing out.

But patience paid off. The youngster recently returned to the pitch after 11 months, and it was shortly after this comeback that Barça sporting director Deco was seen meeting with Bardghji’s agents, just before Barcelona’s Copa del Rey clash with Atletico Madrid.

Fast forward, the deal will be formalised in the coming days.