Rony Bardghji used his 45 minutes against Birmingham to underline that he remains an attractive option in the current transfer market, despite uncertainty over his immediate future at Barcelona.
The Sweden winger was one of Barcelona’s most influential players after coming on in the second half of the friendly, which ended 2-2 before Birmingham won on penalties. Bardghji brought greater pace, skill and decisiveness in the final third as Hansi Flick’s side enjoyed its strongest attacking spell of the match.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Bardghji’s introduction coincided with Barcelona’s best period going forward. He registered two shots on target, completed 31 of his 36 passes for an accuracy rate of 87%, successfully dribbled past opponents twice and recovered possession three times. He was also credited with committing 12 errors.
His performance has added to the dilemma facing Barcelona sporting director Deco as he seeks to resolve the winger’s situation before the transfer window closes.
Barcelona remain convinced of Bardghji’s ability and do not believe signing him was a mistake. However, competition for places in the wide positions is intense. The arrival of Karim Adeyemi, who started against Birmingham, is expected to make Bardghji’s route into the team even more difficult, with his opportunities potentially becoming extremely limited.
The club’s sporting department recognises that Bardghji needs regular playing time to continue his development. Despite his promising display against Birmingham, Barcelona believe the best option for the player may be to leave, at least for the time being.
Deco, however, wants Barcelona to retain a degree of control over Bardghji’s future. The preferred solutions would therefore include a buy-back clause, a percentage of any future sale or a loan move.
Bardghji is not short of possible destinations, with the Sweden international attracting interest in the transfer market. His showing against Birmingham could strengthen his position as clubs assess whether to make a move before the window shuts.
For Barcelona, the issue is not whether Bardghji has sufficient talent. Instead, the decision centres on how best to balance his development with the club’s crowded competition for places on the wing.
The 45-minute appearance gave the winger an opportunity to demonstrate his qualities in a Barcelona shirt, and his contribution was particularly noticeable after the interval. Yet the arrival of Adeyemi and the depth available to Flick mean that a permanent departure, a temporary move or a deal protecting Barcelona’s long-term interests could all remain under consideration.
