Roony Bardghji Tears ACL in Right Knee, Ending Summer Transfer Hopes

Sweden international Roony Bardghji suffered a right knee ACL tear during Monday's training session, halting a potential move away from Barcelona.

Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that forward Roony Bardghji sustained a torn ACL in his right knee during a training session on Monday. The 20-year-old Sweden international now requires surgery in the coming days, an injury that officially scuppers plans for a transfer before the Sept. 1 deadline. This marks the second time the winger has suffered this specific ligament damage, having previously torn the ACL in the same knee in 2024 while playing for Copenhagen.

Bardghji joined the Spanish champions last summer in a deal worth approximately €2m from the Danish side. During the previous campaign, he made 28 appearances for the Catalan club and recorded two goals. Despite these features, the majority of his playing time came as a substitute. His role was projected to diminish further in the upcoming season following the arrivals of new signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.

Hansi Flick’s Transfer Directive

Prior to the injury, coach Hansi Flick had personally informed Bardghji last week that he should seek a new club. Flick indicated that minutes would be difficult to secure during the 2026 campaign. Following this conversation, Barcelona began fielding enquiries from various European clubs, including interest from the Premier League. Negotiations were expected to intensify this week before the medical diagnosis sidelined the player for several months.

To protect his market value and prevent physical setbacks, the coaching staff excluded Bardghji from the squad during last Saturday's friendly matches. Barcelona competed against Nottingham Forest and Udinese in those fixtures without the winger. However, the precautionary measure was rendered moot by the incident that occurred on the training pitch just two days later.

Impact on Barcelona Squad Dynamics

The injury leaves Bardghji on the sidelines while other roster changes take place at the club. Barcelona recently rejected a €40m offer from Paris Saint-Germain for Spain international Ferran Torres. Additionally, the club facilitated a departure for defender Ronald Araújo, who joined Liverpool on a loan deal that includes a €55m permanent purchase option.

Bardghji’s inability to move means he will remain at the club through the recovery process rather than completing a permanent or temporary exit. Medical tests conducted on Tuesday solidified the necessity for a long-term rehabilitation period. The winger had been the subject of accelerating talks across the continent before the training ground accident halted all negotiations.

Historical Injury Context

This recurrence of a right knee ACL tear mirrors the injury Bardghji faced as a teenager in Denmark. His 2024 recovery preceded his €2m move to Spain, where he was utilized primarily as a depth option behind the starting attackers. With Gordon and Adeyemi now integrated into Flick's tactical plans, the Swedish forward's path to the first team was already restricted before this latest medical setback. The club has not provided a specific return date beyond confirming he will be out for months.